Ambassador Cao Chinh Thien and Deputy Head of Directorate General for Global Affairs Ugo Astuto speaking at the event (Photo: VNA)
Speaking at the event, Vietnamese Ambassador to Italy Cao Chinh Thien stressed that Vietnam - Italy diplomatic relations have been established since Vietnam was not fully unified. In these difficult years, Italy always stood in support of Vietnam’s righteous struggle. The image of friendly ship Australe transporting goods and essential supplies of the Italian people to present the people of Vietnam during the war years has become a beautiful symbol of solidarity and friendship between the two nations.
Over the past 45 years, notwithstanding various economic, political and social changes in each country, the traditional friendship is still good and increasingly cultivated. It can be said that Vietnam - Italy relations are going through the best period since 1973, especially since the establishment of the Strategic Partnership in 2013, the two sides have gained many important achievements in the fields of politics, economy, culture and society and people exchanges.
They have actively exchanged high-level delegations to deepen the relationship and mutual understanding: Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi and Italian President Sergio Mattarella paid official visits to Vietnam in 2014 and 2015 respectively; Vietnamese high-ranking leaders paid visits to Italy such as General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong in 2013, National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung in 2014, President of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee Nguyen Thien Nhan in 2015 and State President Tran Dai Quang in 2016. In addition, many delegations at all levels have had working visits, exchanged experience and increased cooperation in the specialized fields. The two countries also cooperate closely in multilateral and international forums.
Over the past five years, the two-way trade has grown positively, reaching nearly USD5 billion each year. The two sides strive to reach bilateral turnover of USD6 billion in 2017-2018. Cultural, tourism, science and education cooperation has been expanded. The Vietnamese community in Italy has been very active in preserving and promoting Vietnamese culture, contributing to bringing the two peoples closer. Cooperation between localities in the two countries has also been promoted, with many agreements having been implemented and gained positive results.
According to Mr Thien, Italy is an important partner of Vietnam in Europe and in the world. Vietnam always attaches great importance to and desires to promote the strategic partnership between the two sides in all areas and towards bigger dimensions.
For his part, Mr. Ugo Astuto, Deputy Head of Directorate General for Global Affairs under the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, also highlighted the traditional friendship between Italy and Vietnam and highly appreciated the achievements of the two countries during the past 45 years. He said that the two sides still have much potential to develop cooperation in all fields and believed that the relations will continue to develop in the coming time.
Delegates enjoyed Vietnam’s unique traditional art program performed by a Vietnamese band from Bologna city. On this occasion, photos reflecting important milestones in bilateral relations, landscapes, land and people of Vietnam were also displayed and left good impression.
On the same day, a seminar themed “Tourism, Vietnam’s strategic sector” was also organized./.