Rome (VNA) – Italy and Vietnam, sharing asustainable relationship, see great potential to further bolster theirpartnership extensively and intensively, Andrea Fais, Editor-in-Chief of ScenariInternazionali (international scenarios) magazine told Vietnam News Agency (VNA) correspondents in Rome on the occasion of PresidentVo Van Thuong’s State visit to Italy.

Fais highlighted the significance of the Vietnamese President's visit, which takes place only after five months since theleader took office.

It shows Vietnam’s appreciation of Italy as its leadingpartner in Europe, and at the same time affirms that Vietnam is a partner and a precious friend of Italy, he stated.

Meanwhile, Matteo Napolitano, a professor of InternationalHistory at Molise University and an editor of La Civiltà Cattolica magazine commentedthat the visit has a significant meaning to Italy as the strategic partnershipwith Vietnam has great value for the country in the context of a dynamic Asianeconomy.

For many years, Vietnam has been a leading trade partner of Italy among ASEANcountries. After the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) took effect inAugust 2020, trade between Vietnam and Italy has increased significantly at 21%in 2021 and 11% in 2022 to 6.2 billion USD. Meanwhile, a roadmap for theEU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) has been underway, he noted.

Regarding the prospects of the bilateral ties, Napolitanoexpressed his belief that with the close traditional friendship, Vietnam andItaly will enjoy a thriving partnership after the Vietnamese President’s visit.

He said that Italian people admire the hardworking and dynamism of Vietnamesepeople, adding that cultural ties between the two countries have also expandedwith the establishment of various joint science-culture facilities as well asorganisations.

Highlighting the economic cooperation prospects betweenVietnam and Italy, Fais said that Italian firms are interested in Vietnam, afast growing market. With a proper approach, opportunities for them in Vietnamare abundant, he held.

Similarly, chances are increasing for Vietnameseinvestors in Italy, he noted. Currently, Italy is the fourth biggest tradepartner of Vietnam among EU members. Therefore, there is plenty of room for thetwo sides to promote and balance bilateral trade, he stated.

Fais cited a report by Dezan Shira Associates showingthat Italian businesses are keen on energy, tourism, IT and processing sectorsin Vietnam.

He underlined that with the positive and comprehensivepartnership between Vietnam and Italy over the past 50 years, President Thuong’svisit will make the future of bilateral ties brighter and moresustainable./.