(VOVworld) - Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc yesterday met with Italy’s Minister of Infrastructure and Transport Graziano Delrio, who said his country will be a companion to Vietnam during the course of development.

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc ​(R) and Italy’s Minister of Infrastructure and Transport Graziano Delrio (Source: VNA)

He rejoiced at the progress seen in bilateral relations since they were lifted to a strategic partnership in January 2013, especially after the Vietnam visits by Italian PM Matteo Renzi in 2014 and President Sergio Mattarella in 2015. Italy remains a big trade partner of Vietnam in the EU with bilateral trade growing over the years to 4.3 billion USD in 2015.
The Vietnamese Government supports Italian firms in making long-term business plans and effectively carrying out projects in Vietnam, particularly in fields the two sides have strength in and demand for such as machinery manufacturing, textile and garment, footwear, wood processing, support industries, seaport infrastructure and services development, and logistics services.

He also asked Italy to promote the EU’s early signing and ratification of the Vietnam-EU Free Trade Agreement and recognition of the market economy mechanism in Vietnam

Minister Delrio said the Italian Government is proud to be a major EU partner of Vietnam and always considers the country as an important partner to foster multi-faceted relations with. Italy wants to accelerate joint programs and projects with Vietnam, especially in aviation and railway.