Vietnamese Ambassador Duong Hai Hung speaks at the seminar (Photo: VNA) The June 12 event attracted the participation of nearly 50delegates, who are officials of Italy, ambassadors of several ASEAN memberstates in the European country, and representatives from leading research andconsulting agencies, and universities.
In his opening remarks, Vietnamese Ambassador Duong Hai Hungemphasised that the European Union (EU) and the Indo-Pacific region are closelylinked due to their economic interdependence, common global challenges, and therule of law.
According to Hung, Italy - a founding member of the EU - has made an importantcontribution to the EU Strategy for Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, anddemonstrates its interest and stronger cohesion with the region in the messageof Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni at the Raisina Dialogue in India and therecent visit to several ASEAN countries by offshore patrol vessel FrancescoMorosini.
Dr. Nguyen Hung Son, Vice President of the DiplomaticAcademy of Vietnam, highlighted the importance of the Indo-Pacific region, hometo three-quarters of the world's largest economies, 60% of the global grossdomestic product (GDP), and nine of the world’s largest seaports. It is forthis reason that about 15 countries have now launched Indo-Pacific strategiesto be involved in shaping the future of the most important region in the world andforming new global rules, he said.
If Italy wants to strengthen its engagement with theIndo-Pacific region, ASEAN will be an important partner, because ASEAN is currentlythe only international organisation accepted by all countries in the Pacific,he stressed.
At the seminar, delegates discussed issues raised through fivespeeches, represented by Dr. Son and four Italian speakers, to understand moreabout new developments in the Indo-Pacific region, Italy's role and involvement,as well as potential fields for future people-to-people diplomatic cooperation./.
VNA
