Vietnam’s legislative leader meets Italian President

Hanoi (VNA) – National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung had a meeting with visiting Italian President Sergio Mattarella in Hanoi on November 6.

Welcoming the first-ever visit by an Italian President since the countries’ diplomatic relationship establishment in 1973, the host said the visit is of significance amidst flourishing bilateral ties and strategic partnership, and it will open up a new chapter of stronger multifaceted cooperation between Vietnam and Italy.

He said he hopes the Italian President, Parliament and Government will continue their strong support for enhanced connections with Vietnam.

The top legislator affirmed the Vietnamese parliament will provide the best possible conditions for the two sides’ all-round cooperation from economic, trade, culture, arts to people-to-people exchange.

He said with the success of President Sergio Mattarella’s talks with his Vietnamese counterpart Truong Tan Sang earlier the day, the countries will secure more attainments in their relations in the near future.

On this occasion, Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung also expressed thanks for the Italian parliamentary delegation’s contributions to the success of the 132nd Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union held in Hanoi earlier this year.

He asked his guest to convey the invitation to visit Vietnam to the Presidents of Italy’s Senate and Chamber of Deputies.

At the meeting, the Italian leader applauded the countries’ recent cooperation achievements which he said have greatly contributed to the two peoples’ solidarity and friendship.

He suggested both sides solidify links in economics, trade along with culture, arts and tertiary education which his country has strength in.

He noted that he and President Truong Tan Sang reached consensus during their talks on a number of measures to boost bilateral ties in all realms, an optimal condition for the two countries to realise joint programmes and projects.

Sergio Mattarella also spoke highly of Vietnam’s 2013 Constitution, which he said contains many new points with special focus on protecting human rights, citizen rights, the right to the freedom of belief and religion, and consolidating the national great unity bloc.

Italy has continually considered Vietnam as a leading partner and wants to expand collaboration with the country as well as other ASEAN nations, he stressed, adding that it is willing to share its economic and trade cooperation experience with Vietnam.-VNA