(VOVworld)- HCM City Mayor Le Hoang Quan has welcomed Italian Defense Minister Giampaolo Di Paola’s visit saying the visit opened up a new chapter of cooperation between Vietnam and Italy, especially between the two Defense Ministries. At a meeting with the Italian guest on Saturday, Quan noted that bilateral political and diplomatic ties have developed well in recent times, but said both countries need to foster cooperation in economics, trade and investment. He expressed his belief that the upcoming visit to Rome by Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong will help expand bilateral cooperation in various areas.