Vietnamese, Italian FMs hold phone talks
Hanoi (VNA) – Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister
Pham Binh Minh on May 19 talked on the phone with Italian Minister of Foreign
Affairs and International Cooperation Luigi Di Maio to discuss measures against
COVID-19 pandemic and strengthen bilateral and multilateral cooperation.
Speaking highly of Vietnam’s success in the fight against the pandemic, Di Maio
thanked the Vietnamese Government and people for providing valuable support for
Italy in difficult times, saying that it is an act of friendship and solidarity
between the two nations.
Minh, for his part, affirmed that Vietnam will continue partnering with Italy
and the international community in the fight against the pandemic.
He thanked Italy for creating favourable conditions for the repatriation of
Vietnamese citizens during the pandemic, and wished that the two Governments
would continue working closely together to support their citizens in the time
ahead.
Both sides also highlighted the significance of the bilateral strategic
partnership and agreed to facilitate all-level visits when the situation
returns to normal.
They vowed to strengthen consultation and coordination mechanisms to
effectively direct the bilateral cooperation in the new period, tap the
potential of partnership in fields of demand such as economy, trade,
science-technology, and culture-education.
Minh suggested that Italy continue backing ties between Vietnam and the
European Union (EU), particularly tapping the benefits brought about by the EU
– Vietnam Free Trade Agreement and the EU – Vietnam Investment Protection
Agreement in the near future.
The two sides pledged to continue working closely together on international
issues and step up links between ASEAN and Italy during 2020 when Vietnam serves
as Chair of the ASEAN and a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security
Council for the 2020-2021 tenure.
Deputy PM Minh also invited Di Maio to pay an official visit to Vietnam. The
Italian diplomat accepted the invitation with pleasure./.