Vietnam-Italy determined to bring strategic partnership to a new page

The two sides shared the desire and determination to bring the Strategic Partnership between the two countries to a new, stronger and more effective page.

President Vo Van Thuong and Italian President Sergio Mattarella listen to an introduction to the monochord at the concert celebrating 50 years of Vietnam-Italy diplomatic relations . (Photo: Thong Nhat)

During the State visit to Italy, after the successful talks and meetings with senior Italian leaders, on the evening of July 26 (local time) at the Presidential Palace in Rome,President Vo Van Thuong and his wife attended a state banquet hosted by the President and his daughter.

Immediately afterwards, the two leaders attended a concert celebrating the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations.

Speaking at the state banquet, President Sergio Mattarella said that in the journey of five decades of good development of the Vietnam-Italy relationship, both sides need to make efforts to develop the bilateral relationship further in depth and diversity in the coming time.

Recalling the memory of 10 years ago, during the State visit of General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Nguyen Phu Trong to Italy, the two countries agreed to establish a strategic partnership. President Sergio Mattarella affirmed that this is an important political framework, helping the Vietnam-Italy relationship achieve many achievements as it does today.

Emphasizing that the relationship between the two countries is a manifestation of solidarity and sincere affection; a heritage of both peoples, President Sergio Mattarella stated that the connection between the two countries has continuously developed in a diverse and effective manner, even in the most difficult times and has become a vivid manifestation of the friendship between the two countries and peoples, a specific example of which is the mutual support between the two countries during the pandemic through the donation of medical masks and Covid-19 vaccines.

Delegates attending the concert. (Photo: Nguyen Hong)

The President of the Republic of Italy said that in their international activities, Vietnam and Italy both uphold the values ​​of peace and multilateralism, essential values ​​to face the major challenges of the present and the future, from the fight against poverty and food insecurity to the phenomenon of migration, from the fight against international crime to climate change. Italy acknowledges and highly appreciates the effectiveness of Vietnam's international activities, especially its contributions to the United Nations peacekeeping mission.

The President affirmed that Vietnam is an important partner for the balance and progress of the Indo-Pacific, a region that Italy is increasingly focusing on, consistent with the European Union's Strategy. A typical example of this is the recent visit to Ho Chi Minh City of the Italian Navy Patrol Ship "Francesco Morosini", whose mission is to implement Italy's commitment to freedom of navigation in the region.

In his reply, President Vo Van Thuong stated: The Vietnamese people will always remember the valuable support of the Italian people for the resistance war for independence, freedom and national reunification. One of the symbols of that support is the friendship ship Australe, which transported necessities from the Italian people to help the Vietnamese people in late 1973, commanded by Captain Luciano Sossai, departing from the port city of Genoa.

President Vo Van Thuong and his wife, Italian President Sergio Mattarella and his daughter took photos with artists performing at the concert. (Photo: Nguyen Hong)

“Vietnam entered a period of national construction after the war, Italy continued to support Vietnam through development assistance projects, helping Vietnam achieve the United Nations Millennium Development Goals. Most recently, in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic outbreak, Italy supported Vietnam with nearly 3 million doses of Covid-19 vaccine; Vietnam supported Italy with medical masks. The two countries shared in difficult times, together overcoming the pandemic,” the President expressed.

Over the past half century, on the solid foundation of friendship, Italy and Vietnam have increasingly become important partners in all fields, from politics - diplomacy, trade - investment to culture - tourism, education - training... cooperating closely both bilaterally and multilaterally.

Ten years ago, Vietnam and Italy established a Strategic Partnership, opening an important journey in the relationship between the two countries, promoting cooperation between Vietnam and Italy to develop deeply, comprehensively, effectively and sustainably.

“Today, in a world of constant change, with many intertwined opportunities and challenges, the cooperative relationship between Vietnam and Italy is constantly expanding, towards the common values ​​and interests of the international community,” President Vo Van Thuong affirmed.

Referring to the contents of the exchange with the President and senior leaders of Italy during this visit, the President said that the two sides shared the desire and determination to bring the Strategic Partnership to a new, stronger and more effective page, contributing to the common goals of sustainable development and solving 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.

Here are some pictures of the artists performing at the concert.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/chu-tich-nuoc-vo-van-thuong-viet-nam-italy-quyet-tam-dua-quan-he-doi-tac-chien-luoc-sang-mot-trang-moi-236293.html