At the talks between Vietnamese President Vo Van Thuong and his Italian counterpart Sergio Mattarella. (Photo: VNA) PresidentThuong affirmed that Vietnam treasures Italy in its foreign policy, adding thatVietnam always remembers and is grateful to the Italian people for their valuablesupport in the past struggle for national independence and reunification as wellas in the current process of national construction and development.
Bothleaders emphasised the significance of President Thuong’s ongoing visit at a time when thetwo countries are celebrating the 50th founding anniversary of diplomatic tiesand the 10th anniversary of the bilateral strategic partnership.
PresidentMattarella affirmed that Italy highly appreciates Vietnam’s position and rolein the Asia – Pacific region and stressed the friendship and close sentimentsbetween the people of the two nations.
TheItalian leader said he was impressed with Vietnam’s dynamic economicdevelopment and consented to join hands with the Southeast Asian country tofurther promote the bilateral strategic partnership, thus contributing to the sustainabledevelopment in each nation and jointly coping with global challenges.
Thetwo leaders informed each other about their respective nations’ situation, exchangedviews on major orientations and measures to further step up the bilateralstrategic partnership and discussed regional and international issues of mutualconcern.
Theyexpressed their delight at the positive development of the bilateral relationsin the past years as the two nations have promoted the exchange of visits and meetingsat all levels and through all channels; effectively deployed cooperationmechanisms such as the political consultation at the deputy foreign ministerlevel, defence policy dialogue at the deputy minister level, the joint committeefor economic cooperation, and the joint committee for scientific andtechnological cooperation.
Vietnamese President Vo Van Thuong (L) and his Italian counterpart Sergio Mattarella. (Photo: VNA) In terms of politics,the two leaders agreed to step up the exchange of delegations at all levels, especiallyhigh-level ones, via state, government and parliament channels; and continue effectivelyimplementing bilateral cooperation mechanisms.
Regarding economic ties, President Mattarella agreedwith Vietnam’s proposal on continuing effectively carrying out the EU-VietnamFree Trade Agreement (EVFTA) and supporting the European Commission (EC)’sremoval of its “yellow card” against Vietnamese seafood exports in a bid tofurther beef up economic and trade relations and contribute to economicrecovery.
PresidentMattarella announced that the Italian Parliament ratified the EU-VietnamInvestment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) right on the day President Thuong began his state visit to Italy, creating a foundation for Italy to increase investmentin the Southeast Asian country.
PresidentThuong thanked Italy and stressed that the deal would bring benefits to businessesand people of both nations. He also proposed Italy urge other EU members to soonratify the agreement.
The two leaders consented to enhance people-to-people exchangesby stepping up cooperation in education-training, culture-arts, tourism, locality-to-localitycooperation, and student exchanges, among others. Both expressed their support for the establishment of cultural centres in each country to promote understanding and connectivity between the people of the two countries.
President Thuong suggested the Italian Government create more favourable conditions for the Vietnamese community in the country to integrate into the host society, contribute to socio-economic development in Italy, and continue serving as a bridge between the two nations.
They agreed to expand cooperation in security-defence, science-technology;continue to support each other at multilateral forums such as the ASEAN-EU cooperationframework, Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM), and the United Nations, and response toglobal issues like climate change and food security.
The host and guestalso exchanged views on several international and regional issues of mutual concern such as cooperationbetween Italy and ASEAN, cooperation between Vietnam and the EU, and theIndo-Pacific region.
Regarding the EastSea issue, the two leaders reaffirmed the importance of ensuring peace, stability,security, safety and freedom of navigation and aviation in the East Sea, andsettling disputes via peaceful measures on the basis of international law, especiallythe 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
They agreed to expand cooperation in security-defence, science-technology;continue to support each other at multilateral forums such as the ASEAN-EU cooperationframework, Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM), and the United Nations, and response toglobal issues like climate change and food security.
The host and guestalso exchanged views on several international and regional issues of mutual concern such as cooperationbetween Italy and ASEAN, cooperation between Vietnam and the EU, and theIndo-Pacific region.
Regarding the EastSea issue, the two leaders reaffirmed the importance of ensuring peace, stability,security, safety and freedom of navigation and aviation in the East Sea, andsettling disputes via peaceful measures on the basis of international law, especiallythe 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
On this occasion, President Thuong invited his Italiancounterpart to visit Vietnam at an early date./.
VNA
