Italian President Sergio Mattarella. (Source: VNA)
Italian President Sergio Mattarella’s November 5-8 state visit to Vietnam is intended to enhance the strategic partnership between the two countries in various fields, including politics-diplomacy, defence-security, economics, culture, education, science-technology and tourism.
The visit, the first made by an Italian President to Vietnam since the two countries set up their diplomatic ties in 1973, will create favourable conditions for Italian businesses to invest in Vietnam.
It will also offer a chance for the two countries to increase their collaboration at multilateral forums and international organisations as well as exchange views on regional and global issues of mutual concern.
The political ties between Vietnam and Italy have been incessantly consolidated and seen marked developments. Italy was the first Western European country to actively strengthen cooperation between Vietnam and the European Union.
In early 2013, the two nations established their strategic partnership during Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong’s State visit to Italy.
In September that year, they approved an action plan for the implementation of the strategic partnership from 2013-2014 on the occasion of Deputy Prime Minister Hoang Trung Hai’s visit to the European country. The two countries’ leaders are currently discussing another action plan for 2015-2016.
Trade between Vietnam and Italy has drastically increased over the years, hitting 4.08 billion USD last year. The figure reached 2.89 billion USD in the first eight months of this year, an annual rise of 6 percent.
By August 2015, Italy had 66 investment projects worth nearly 392 million USD in Vietnam. Some major Italian groups operating effectively in the Southeast Asian country include ENI, Piaggio, Bonfiglioli and Ariston.
Vietnam is among Italy’s 10 priority emerging markets for developing trade and investment with.
Bilateral connections in culture and education have seen stable developments. The Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs annually grants graduate and post-graduate scholarships to Vietnam and the Italian Government has coordinated with the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) to help Vietnam restore the My Son Sanctuary with 435,000 USD in total.
The two sides have regularly organised cultural weeks and months to increase mutual understanding between their peoples. On the occasion of the 40 th anniversary of diplomatic ties (2013), the Vietnam Year in Italy and the Italy Year in Vietnam were held successfully.
Italy is now home to nearly 4,000 Vietnamese people, most of who live in northern provinces and cities where industries are developing.-VNA
Italy has prioritised developing relations with Vietnam in the Southeast Asian region in particular and Asia in general, Vice President of the Senate Valeria Fedeli has said.
Italian President Sergio Mattarella suggested a stronger effort from both Vietnamese and Italian Governments in order to lift bilateral relations to a new level.
Investment and trade between Vietnam and Italy haven’t been on par with their potential and demand, the countries’ Joint Committee on Economic Cooperation admitted at its second meeting in Rome.
The Embassy of Vietnam in Italy and the Association of Students of Vietnam in Italy have co-organised a “Day of Vietnamese Culture” in the central city of Cassino.
Under the leadership of President Ho Chi Minh and the CPV, President Cuong said, the press has been a steadfast force on the ideological and cultural front, rallying the masses to pursue national aspirations.
NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man stressed the need to accelerate the application of artificial intelligence and smart teaching equipment, innovate teaching and assessment methods, and further improve the quality of formal education.
He also pledged that the NA will promote its ongoing supervision, making sure that every promise must lead to results, and every commitment must bring about real changes.
Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien welcomed the proposals put forward by the US side and reiterated Vietnam’s request for consideration of key areas of interest, including reciprocal tariff policies and access for Vietnamese key export products to the US market.
Deputy PM Le Thanh Long proposed countries promote shared values, including building trust, sincerity, and solidarity among nations and peoples; fostering cooperation spirit and responsible behaviour as well as upholding international law and the UN Charter; and placing people at the centre and as the goal, the key player, and the driving force of all policies.
The show, together with a grand parade to be held silmutaneously at Ba Dinh Square in Hanoi, will celebrate the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution, the National Day, and the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army (VPA).
In particular, in April 2023, the two sides successfully carried out a joint operation that dismantled a major organised, transnational drug trafficking ring involving both Vietnamese and Cambodian suspects.
The Vietnamese Embassy in Israel is closely coordinating with relevant local agencies to stay informed and provide the utmost support possible for Vietnamese nationals.
The launch of Thanh Nien (Young People) newspaper in 1925, even before the founding of the Communist Party of Vietnam, is considered a testament to President Ho Chi Minh’s strategic foresight and strong belief in the guiding power of the revolutionary media.
New Zealand is currently one of Vietnam’s most important partners in the region, marked by a high level of political trust, strong and reliable defence and security cooperation, and increasingly open economic, trade, and investment ties.
Party General Secretary To Lam stressed that the Central Public Security Party Committee must be fully aware of the extremely important role of the People's Public Security force in the country's new revolutionary phase, so as to guide each branch and level of the force as the nation undergoes transformation.
Addressing concerns over university education spending, Son explained that as public universities gain greater autonomy, the Ministry of Finance has scaled back recurrent state funding. “Over the past decade, as autonomy has increased, the State's support has steadily declined”, he noted
Lao Minister of Foreign Affairs Thongsavanh Phomvihane affirmed that the presence of Vietnamese press offices in Laos vividly demonstrates the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between the two nations, as the press is not only a means of communication but also an important bridge for spreading consciousness about the history, values, and strategic depth of the Laos – Vietnam relationship to the people of both countries and the international community.
The country is willing to participate in collective efforts to promote cooperation and mobilise resources to advance the current priority issues of developing countries, such as trade, investment, infrastructure connectivity, making the most of scientific and technological advances for development, and people-to-people exchanges, Hang said.
During the negotiations, the US highly evaluated Vietnam’s goodwill and efforts, affirmed its appreciation for the bilateral relationship, acknowledged Vietnam’s proposals and concerns, and considered these an important basis for continuing discussions and moving towards a final agreement.
The Chairman stressed the need for stricter fiscal discipline, faster digital transformation, and more efficient management of State budget revenues and expenditures.
The ministry has instructed Vietnamese representative agencies in Israel, Iran, as well as those in neighbouring countries, to closely monitor the situation and request local authorities to ensure absolute safety for Vietnamese citizens living, studying, and working in high-risk areas.
Italian President Sergio Mattarella. (Source: VNA)
