Vietnam, Italy hold 4th political consultation
VOV.VN - Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Ha Kim Ngoc and Italian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Manlio Di Stefano on June 8 co-hosted the 4th political consultation within the framework of the strategic partnership between the two countries.
The two diplomats applauded the remarkable progress in bilateral ties over the past time, particularly in politics-diplomacy, economy, and science-technology.
They consented to step up bilateral cooperation in such new fields as health care, the environment, climate change response, and renewable energy.
Vietnam greatly values and wishes to foster its strategic partnership with Italy, Ngoc said while hailing the two sides' sound collaboration in carrying out their plan of action for the partnership for 2021-2023.
He suggested Italy soon ratify the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) and support the European Commission in removing its ‘yellow card’ warning against illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing for Vietnamese seafood.
The Italian deputy minister, in turn, said his nation regards Vietnam as a top priority cooperation partner in the region and looks for more joint works in the fields of innovation, aerospace, hydrogen energy, and cybercrime prevention and control.
He also appreciated both countries' mutual support during the COVID-19 pandemic, with Vietnam donating Italy more than 300,000 face masks and Italy providing Vietnam with nearly 3 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines.
The pair concurred to intensify the exchange of high-level delegations, continue implementing bilateral cooperation mechanisms, and work toward US$6 billion bilateral trade target in 2022 and US$ 10 billion in the following years.
They said they will work hand in hand in information exchange and offer mutual support at international and multilateral forums.
They also underscored the importance of ensuring the freedom of navigation, overflight, security and peace in the East Sea and respecting international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).