The visit marked a new milestone in the 50-year traditional diplomatic relations and 10-year strategic partnership with Italy; at the same time, it continued to affirm Vietnam's goodwill in promoting cooperative relations with the Vatican.

*On a State visit to Italy - an important member of the European Union (EU), the United Nations and many multilateral forums, President Vo Van Thuong held talks with President Sergio Mattarella; met with Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and attended the signing ceremony of cooperation documents between the two countries. At the talks, in an atmosphere of friendship and mutual understanding, the two leaders expressed their determination to bring the strategic partnership between the two countries to a new, stronger and more effective page; contribute to the common goals of sustainable development and solve global issues on the basis of balance and mutual benefit, exploiting the advantages and potential of each country, for the benefit of the people of the two countries, for peace, cooperation and development in the region and the world .

Farewell ceremony for President Vo Van Thuong and his wife at Fiumicino International Airport, Italy.

Vietnam welcomes the Italian Parliament's approval of the law on ratification of the Vietnam-EU Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA), creating favorable conditions for investors from both sides on the basis of equality and mutual benefit. Notably, this ratification document was passed on the day of President Vo Van Thuong's State visit to Italy. This was a remarkable success of the visit.

Regarding other cooperation issues, Italy acknowledged Vietnam’s efforts in recent times in seriously and fully implementing the recommendations of the European Commission (EC) in dealing with illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing (IUU). Vietnam also welcomed Italy’s proposal to expand the scale and activities of “Italy House” under the new name “Italy House – Italian Cultural Institute in Hanoi”. The two sides also agreed to closely coordinate for the prosperity, sustainable and inclusive development of the two countries and for peace, cooperation and development in the region and the world, in accordance with the fundamental principles of international law and the United Nations Charter.

During the visit, President Vo Van Thuong also met with senior Italian leaders including the President of the Senate, the President of the House of Representatives, and the Mayor of Rome. The delegation also visited and met with leaders of the Tuscany Region and the Mayor of Florence, the capital of the Tuscany Region.

The two leaders welcomed the signing of the Extradition Agreement and the Transfer of Sentenced Persons Agreement between the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the Republic of Italy; witnessed the signing of the Cultural Cooperation Program between the two Governments for the 2023-2026 period; the Judicial Assistance Agreement between the Supreme People's Procuracy of Vietnam and the Italian Ministry of Justice and the Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation between the People's Committee of Vinh Phuc Province and the Tuscany Region.

President Vo Van Thuong, his wife and the Vietnamese high-ranking delegation also attended a State Banquet hosted by the Italian President and his daughter; and a concert celebrating the 50th anniversary of the establishment of Vietnam-Italy diplomatic relations.

Also during his State visit to Italy, President Vo Van Thuong received leaders of several Italian political parties, including the Communist Party, the Democratic Party, and the Communist Re-establishment Party. During the meetings, the President and leaders of the Italian political parties affirmed their desire to promote cooperation between the Communist Party of Vietnam and Italian political parties, thereby further promoting the 50-year traditional relationship between the two countries.

In particular, President Vo Van Thuong also spent time visiting the Embassy and meeting the Vietnamese community in Italy, and meeting Italian friends who are close to Vietnam. Pleased to know that the Vietnamese community in Italy is always united, friendly, supportive of each other, and has a close, friendly relationship with the locals, with a stable life, the President said that these are important factors contributing to promoting the Vietnam - Italy strategic partnership to develop further.

Warmly visiting and encouraging the compatriots, the President affirmed that the Party and State always consider overseas Vietnamese as an inseparable part of the Vietnamese nation. The President hopes that overseas Vietnamese in Italy will maintain the traditional cultural identity of the Vietnamese people, maintain, preserve and use the Vietnamese language for future generations. Continue to promote the tradition of solidarity, help each other in life, strictly abide by the laws of the host country, maintain and promote the national cultural identity and always look back to the roots of the homeland and country.

Also in the capital Rome - an ancient city with a glorious history, great cultural heritage, and friendly, open and hospitable people, President Vo Van Thuong laid a wreath at the Altare della Patria - a heritage known as one of the most beautiful Renaissance architectural works in Rome.

With special respect and sincere affection, the President of Italy presided over the official farewell ceremony for the President, his wife and the high-ranking Vietnamese delegation at the Presidential Palace with the most solemn rituals for a State visit.

* The Vatican gave President Vo Van Thuong and his wife, along with the Vietnamese high-ranking delegation, a solemn welcome ceremony at Damaso Courtyard, Vatican City. During the visit, the President met with Pope Francis; met with Prime Minister, Cardinal Pietro Parolin; and visited the Sistine Chapel.

The joint press release of the visit stated that on the occasion of President Vo Van Thuong's visit to the Vatican on July 27, with the common desire to continue promoting bilateral relations, the two sides officially announced that the Vietnamese Government and the Holy See had approved the "Agreement on the Regulations of Operation of the Permanent Representative and the Office of the Permanent Representative of the Holy See in Vietnam". The two sides believe that the Permanent Representative will make positive contributions to the relationship between the Holy See and the Vietnamese Catholic community as well as the Vietnam - Holy See relationship.

Speaking at the meeting with Pope Francis, President Vo Van Thuong stated that the approval of the Regulations on the activities of the Permanent Representative and the Office of the Permanent Representative of the Holy See in Vietnam is an important step forward in the context of the positive development of bilateral relations, and is the result of exchanges in the spirit of respect, cooperation and mutual understanding. The President expressed his hope that the Pope would have a new "Message", guiding the Church and the Catholic community in Vietnam to always respect God, love the country, be attached to and accompany the nation and the State, be good parishioners, good citizens, live a good life, contribute to the love, prosperity and happiness of the people, and actively contribute to the development and prosperity of Vietnam.

At the meetings between President Vo Van Thuong with Pope Francis and the Holy See’s Prime Minister, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the two sides expressed their confidence that the Holy See’s Permanent Representative will properly perform its functions and tasks in the Statute; support the Vietnamese Catholic community in operating in the spirit of respecting the law and the Church’s teachings, implementing the guidelines of “accompanying the nation”, “good parishioners and good citizens”, actively contributing to the country’s development; and at the same time promoting its role as a bridge to promote relations between Vietnam and the Holy See.

The State visit to Italy and the Vatican by President Vo Van Thuong was the first exchange of delegations at the head of state level between Vietnam and Italy and the Vatican in the past seven years. The success of the two visits continued to affirm the foreign policy of the 13th National Party Congress on independence, self-reliance, peace, friendship, cooperation and development; further promoting and deepening Vietnam's cooperative relations with Italy and the Vatican.

News and photos: VNA

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