Vietnamese President Vo Van Thuong (L) meets President of the Italian Chamber of Deputies Lorenzo Fontana in Rome on July 26. (Photo: VNA)

Highlighting the mutual support to help each other overcome difficulties caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Thuong said that it is a vivid manifestation for the two nations’ solidarity.

Appreciating cooperation between the two parliaments, Fontana agreed with the Vietnamese leader’s proposal of intensifying collaboration between the two legislative bodies, including stepping up the exchange of delegations, and supporting Vietnam's role as a bridge to promote relations between the Italian Parliament and the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA).

In order to consolidate trust and create a favorable foundation for the bilateral relationship, President Thuong suggested the two sides increase the exchange of delegations at all levels, especially high level, via the State, Government and Parliament channels, step up economic and trade cooperation, expand cultural-educational ties, and promote local cooperation and people-to-people exchanges.

Meanwhile, Lorenzo Fontana said that the Italian Parliament's ratification of the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) on the occasion of the Vietnamese President's visit will contribute to facilitating investment ties between the two sides.

They also agreed to continue promoting collaboration in potential fields such as defense, security, science, and technology.

Fontana affirmed that Italy will send a delegation of young parliamentarians to attend the 9th Global Conference of Young Parliamentarians hosted by Vietnam in September. He expressed his hope for a closer cooperation agreement with the National Assembly of Vietnam.