Vietnam, Italy agree on orientations to promote strategic partnership

During the meeting, the two diplomats assessed that the Vietnam - Italy strategic partnership has recorded strong developments over recent times across a variety of fields, expressing joy at the two sides' political consultation as part of the occasion of the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties and the 10th anniversary of the framework of the strategic partnership.

They hailed the outstanding results achieved in terms of bilateral economic co-operation, with the two countries becoming each other's important trading partners in the region.

Last year saw two-way trade turnover reach more than US$6.2 billion, up 11% compared to 2021, largely thanks to the positive impacts of the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA).

Deputy FM Hang affirmed that the nation attaches importance to the development of ties and wishes to deepen the strategic partnership with Italy, a member state that plays an important role in the EU.

She suggested that both sides seek to strengthen the exchange of delegations at all levels, effectively maintain bilateral co-operation mechanisms in diplomacy, defence, economics, science, and technology. This should take place whilst boosting linkages in launching a string of activities to mark the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations and the 10th anniversary of the strategic partnership.

Sharing the prospect of socio-economic recovery and the great potential that exists in the relationship between the two countries, both sides consented to co-ordinate effectively in implementing the EVFTA by striving to quickly meet the two-way trade target of US$7 billion, as agreed by each country’s Prime Ministers in their meeting held in December, 2022.

Vietnam asked Italy to swiftly ratify the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) and support the European Commission (EC)’s early removal of the IUU yellow card placed on Vietnamese seafood exports.

As part of the occasion, Deputy Minister Hang thanked the Italian Government and people for their timely donation of vaccines to Vietnam as a contribution to the nation’s COVID-19 containment efforts.

In response, the Italian Deputy FM affirmed the importance of strengthening relations with the Indo-Pacific region and ASEAN, including the strategic partnership with Vietnam which is a partner with good friendship, as well as being the largest trading partner of Italy in ASEAN.

Deputy FM Tripodi went on to affirm that the Italian Government backs the early completion of internal procedures for the ratification of the EVIPA and encourages Italian businesses to strive to increase investment in the Vietnamese market in the potential fields of both sides.

He outlined hopes that the two sides will organise a Joint Committee on Economic Cooperation this year, as well as continuing to support development credit for Vietnam in the field of water resource management and sustainable regional development.

The Italian Deputy FM expressed great appreciation for strong Vietnamese commitments made at the 26th UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) and affirms that, as one of the world's leading countries in responding to climate change and implementing the Paris commitments, Italy is ready to share its own experience and support the Vietnamese side within the framework of the "Justice Energy Transition Partnership" (JETP).

At the meeting, both Deputy FMs also discussed measures aimed at ramping up ties between the two countries in the fields of security - defence, science - technology, culture – education, and tourism.

Accordingly, the two sides agreed to continue effectively realising the Joint Committee on Science - Technology Cooperation, the Defense Policy Dialogue, the swift approval of the Cultural Cooperation Program for the 2023 to 2025 period, and the need to boost ties in heritage conservation and people-to-people exchanges.

This is along with approving the Action Program on educational co-operation for the 2023 to 2025 period, as well as student exchange activities between universities of the two countries.

The two sides consented to continue to closely work together at multilateral forums, especially at UN organizations, in addition to strengthening consultation and co-operation within the framework of ASEAN.

Sharing views on international and regional issues of mutual concern, both diplomats underscored the importance of maintaining peace, stability, and security, including maritime security, duly voicing support for the settlement of disputes by peaceful means in compliance with international law, especially the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS 1982).

During the course of the visit, Deputy FM Hang also had a working session with the Vietnamese embassy and some agencies in Italy.