(VOVworld)- Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, who is on an official visit to Italy, and Italian President Giorgio Napolitano have vowed to further the bilateral ties. Speaking to reporters after the talks, Italian President Napolitano praised Vietnam’s socio economic development achievements saying that Italy wanted to strengthen its relationship with Vietnam in all areas and contribute more to the cooperation between ASEAN and EU. Party leader Nguyen Phu Trong said Vietnam respected Italy’s role in Europe and the world. Regarding the conclusion of the talks, Party leader Nguyen Phu Trong said: We reached a consensus in all issues and agreed to establish the strategic partnership between Vietnam and Italy to mark the 40^th anniversary of our diplomatic ties. The agreement reflects mutual trust and understanding in sharing difficulties and moving toward the future, for the mutual benefit of both countries, for people and for peace, stability and development in the world. We agreed to bring into play the outcomes of our long standing friendship and cooperation our the last 40 years to further deepen our ties based on a joint statement establishing a Vietnam-Italy strategic partnership thus boosting economic, investment and trade cooperation”.

The same day, Party leader Trong met with Italian Prime Minister Mario Monti. Trong acknowledged Italy’s efforts in enhancing economic, trade and investment cooperation with Vietnam until 2020 and its ODA for Vietnam in the 2013-2015 period. The two leaders agreed to continue boosting bilateral cooperation in all various areas including culture, education and training, national defense and security. The two governments will encourage and facilitate business cooperation and increase their presence in each country. Both sides will continue cooperating and supporting each other at international forums and exchanging issues of mutual concerns including ensuring security, maritime safety, peace, and stability and settling disputes through peaceful means in line with international laws. Party leader Nguyen Phu Trong and Prime Minister Mario Monti witnessed the singing of a Joint Statement on establishing Vietnam-Italy Strategic Partnership, a Memorandum of Understanding on Italy House project, the action program on education between the two governments in the 2013-2016 period, and Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation between the two Defense Ministries and the two national Oil and Gas Groups and on administrative cooperation and assistance in customs.