(VOVworld) - Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong has begun an official visit to Italy. During this visit, which takes place as the two countries celebrate the 40th anniversary of bilateral ties, leaders of both countries will officially sign a Joint Statement on upgrading the Vietnam-Italy relations to strategic partnership. This commitment is expected to elevate the bilateral ties to a new era of practicality and effectiveness.
Party leader Nguyen Phu Trong is welcomed in Italy |
Italy was one of several European countries that strongly supported the Vietnamese people during the war against the anti-US war of resistance. A generation of Vietnamese residing in Italy at that time demonstrated in the streets to support Vietnam’s struggle for peace and consciousness.
Over the last 40 years since the two countries established diplomatic ties, especially since Vietnam began the renovation process, the relations between Vietnam and Italy have developed steadily. Italy was the first Western European country that supported the cooperation between Vietnam and the EU at international forums as well as the normalization of relations between Vietnam and international financial institutions. Both countries maintain respect for each other’s position and have strengthened economic, trade and investment cooperation. Italian leaders are committed to boosting a multifaceted cooperation with Vietnam considering Vietnam a priority in developing relations with Southeast Asia and as a destination for Italian businesses until 2010. In recent years, despite global economic difficulties, Italy has been Vietnam’s EU leading trade partner with two-way trade turnover reaching 2.53 billion USD in 2011, up 38% and 2.8 billion USD in 2012, up 10%. Le Hai Binh, the Director of the Department of Foreign Policy under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs says: “The relations between Vietnam and Italy have been developing strongly. Italy recognized Vietnam’s market economic status in 2012 and aimed to established strategic partnership with Vietnam. Party leader Nguyen Phu Trong’s visit to Italy aimed to celebrate the 40th anniversary of diplomatic ties marking an important milestone in the bilateral ties”.
The two countries have implemented several activities to promote bilateral ties. Vietnam’s Cultural Days are being held in Rome, Italy to mark the 40th celebration. This event helps strengthen solidarity and friendship between the two countries and promote the image of Vietnam, its land and people. Tran Thanh Hai, former Vietnamese Trade Councilor in Italy says: “Italian people are not familiar with Vietnam’s tourism potential and its beautiful landscapes including Ha Long Bay. We have been working with Italian Tourism Ministry and some Tourism’s Associations in major cities in Italy to promote Vietnam’s tourism. This has helped tour operators and tourists plan their trips to Vietnam”.
The two countries have also strengthened cooperation in national defense and sports. They have paid special attention to cooperation in education, training and scientific research. They are working on the means to assist Vietnamese students to study in Italy. The cooperation between cities and provinces including those between Hanoi and Rome, Ho Chi Minh City and Milan, Hai Phong and Genoa, Hue and Venice are expected to be strengthened in the near future.
"Vietnam-Italy solidarity" exhibition in Italy
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Party leader Nguyen Phu Trong’s visit to Italy is expected to create a new momentum for the bilateral ties. The talks and meetings between Mr. Trong and Italian leaders will help enhance the bilateral cooperation in politics, diplomacy, economic, trade, culture, education and national defense toward a sustainable strategic partnership.