Italy is ready to act as a bridge for G7-ASEAN and Vietnam-EU relations.

The President affirmed that Vietnam is ready to act as a bridge to promote relations between Italy and ASEAN, and Prime Minister Meloni affirmed that Italy is ready to act as a bridge for relations between G7-ASEAN and Vietnam-EU.

Italy sẵn sàng làm cầu nối cho quan hệ G7-ASEAN và Việt Nam-EU

A solemn welcoming ceremony for President Vo Van Thuong, chaired by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, was held at the Prime Minister's Office. (Source: Italian Government)

During his State visit to the Republic of Italy, on July 26, in Rome, President Vo Van Thuong had a meeting with Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.

After a solemn welcoming ceremony at the Prime Minister's Office, the two leaders had a comprehensive discussion on bilateral cooperation and agreed on practical measures to strengthen the Vietnam-Italy Strategic Partnership.

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni expressed his delight at the positive developments in bilateral cooperation in many areas, especially in economics, trade and investment. Impressed by Vietnam's economy, which is the most dynamically developing in Southeast Asia, the Italian Prime Minister affirmed his appreciation for Vietnam's position and role in the Indo-Pacific region, emphasizing that the two countries still have much potential to expand cooperation, and are determined to work with Vietnam to promote the Vietnam-Italy strategic partnership, and together overcome current challenges in the world and the region.

Italy is ready to act as a bridge for G7-ASEAN and Vietnam-EU relations. (Source: Italian Government)

President Vo Van Thuong thanked Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni for his warm welcome, emphasizing the significance of the visit on the occasion of the two countries celebrating the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations and the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the Strategic Partnership framework, wishing to promote multifaceted cooperation between the two countries, especially in politics-diplomacy, economy, education-training, culture-arts and other potential areas.

At the meeting, President Vo Van Thuong and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni had in-depth discussions on bilateral relations, regional cooperation and a number of regional and international issues of mutual concern. In the context of complex and unpredictable changes in the regional and global situation, the world economy is going through a difficult period, in order to strengthen the strategic partnership, the two leaders discussed orientations and practical measures to enhance Vietnam-Italy cooperation in the coming time with the aim of recovering, developing the economy sustainably and closely coordinating in responding to regional and global issues.

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni emphasized that the Italian Parliament's ratification of the Vietnam-EU Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) on the occasion of President Vo Van Thuong's visit to Italy shows Italy's interest in promoting relations between the two countries.

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni expressed his delight at the positive developments in bilateral cooperation in many fields. (Source: Italian Government)

The two sides agreed to increase contacts and delegation exchanges between ministries, sectors and localities; continue to effectively implement bilateral cooperation mechanisms such as the Joint Committee on Economic Cooperation. President Vo Van Thuong affirmed that Vietnam is ready to closely coordinate with Italy to promote cooperation contents such as green transformation, digital economy, sustainable and inclusive prosperity; asked Italy to support the promotion of the Vietnam-EU Comprehensive Partnership and Cooperation and for its part, Vietnam is ready to act as a bridge to promote relations between Italy and ASEAN. Prime Minister Meloni affirmed that Italy is ready to act as a bridge for G7-ASEAN and Vietnam-EU relations.

In terms of economy, the two sides agreed to continue to effectively implement the Vietnam-EU Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA), considering it an important driving force to promote economic relations between the two countries. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni supported the acceleration of the implementation of the Vietnam-EU Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) with the aim of increasing trade turnover to 7 billion USD.

The two leaders agreed to continue promoting cooperation in other areas such as security-defense, education-training, science-technology, and preservation of cultural heritage; affirming that these are potential areas that need to be exploited to deepen, improve the effectiveness and substance of the strategic partnership between the two countries.

President Vo Van Thuong and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni witnessed the signing ceremony of the cooperation document. (Source: Italian Government)

President Vo Van Thuong and Georgian Prime Minister Meloni also discussed a number of regional and international issues of mutual concern. The two sides agreed to strengthen coordination at international organizations and forums such as the United Nations, the G7-ASEAN cooperation framework, etc.; and closely coordinate in implementing commitments within the framework of the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP).

Italy pledged to support Vietnam in terms of finance, technology and human resource training to help Vietnam respond to climate change. The Italian Prime Minister welcomed Vietnam's proposal to establish a tripartite framework on agriculture between Vietnam, Italy and a third country to contribute to solving the problem of global food security.

After the meeting, President Vo Van Thuong and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni witnessed the signing ceremony of the Agreement on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters between Vietnam and Italy and the Cultural Cooperation Program between the Government of Vietnam and the Government of Italy for the period 2023-2026.

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