VN, Italy look to deepen strategic partnership

Deputy PM and FM Pham Binh Minh and  Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Enzo Moavero Milanesi, Ha Noi, May 7, 2019. Photo: VGP

Politburo member Minh spoke highly of the Italian official’svisit, which, he said, will pave the way for the enhancement of the Viet Nam-Italy strategic partnership in a comprehensive, extensive and effective manner.

Minister Milanesi expressed his impression at Viet Nam’s socio-economic development and international integration achievements over recent times, as well as the country’s important role and position in ASEAN and in the Asia-Pacific region, and its increasingly active contributions to the international community.

Both sides showed their delight at positive progress in all aspects of the Vietnam-Italy strategic partnership so far, especially in 2018 when the two countries celebrated 45th anniversary of diplomatic relations and five years of strategic partnership.

They affirmed that the two countries will continue increasing meetings and exchanges of delegations at all level, especially the high level, while maintaining and effectively implementing mechanisms of deputy foreign ministerial-level strategic dialogue, deputy ministerial-level defence dialogue and Vietnam-Italy joint committee on economic cooperation.

The two sides agreed to sign an action plan to realise the Viet Nam-Italy strategic partnership for 2019-2020 soon.

The Italian side affirmed that economy will continue to be the priority area in bilateral cooperation, pledging to strengthen trade and investment collaboration with Viet Nam – a leading partner of Italy in ASEAN.

Deputy PM Minh welcomed Italian firms’ investment in the fields of Italy’s strength and Viet Nam’s demand, such as mechanical engineering, garment & textile, footwear, building materials, energy, food processing, and oil & gas exploration and exploitation. 

The two sides highly appreciated the significance of the Viet Nam-European Union Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA), considering it as a motivation to boost bilateral trade revenues and investment. They agreed to accelerate the EU’s prompt signing and ratification of the deal for the benefits of the two countries’ business communities.

The officials also reached a consensus on new directions for bilateral development cooperation aiming to meet with Viet Nam’s sustainable development goals and ensure accordance with the strategic partnership between the two countries, focusing on the areas of vocational training, the environment, water source management, flood warning, heath and supporting small and medium-sized enterprises.

Deputy PM Minh called on the Italian Foreign Ministry to continue supporting Viet Nam in preserving relics, while asking the Italian government to increase scholarships for Vietnamese students, strengthen research projects with Viet Nam, and work to make science-technology a priority field of cooperation between the two countries in the future.

The two sides agreed to closely coordinate at international forums and organisations, especially within the framework of the UN, ASEM, EU-ASEAN, UNESCO, and affirmed to support Viet Nam-EU ties as well as the relations between Italy and other ASEAN countries in the context that Viet Nam will assume ASEAN Chair in 2020 and is running for a non-permanent membership of the United Nations Security Council for the 2020-2021 tenure.

Minh welcomed the initiative to organise the third high-level dialogue on ASEAN-Italy economic relations in Ha Noi in June, saying that this will be an important chance for Italy to tighten economic-trade bonds with ASEAN countries.

The two sides stressed the importance of maintaining peace, stability, security, and maritime and aviation safety and freedom in the East Sea, affirming the principle of the rule of law and emphasizing their support for the peaceful settlement of disputes in line with international law, including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

Milanesi, who is on a Viet Nam visit from May 6-8, expressed his impression of Viet Nam’s socio-economic and international integration achievements over the years, the country’s rising role and position in ASEAN and the Asia-Pacific region as well as contributions to the international community.

By Vien Nhu