(VOVworld) – On Friday, President Truong Tan Sang and the visiting President of Italy, Sergio Mattarella, held a meeting to develop the strategic partnership between the two countries and make it more practical and effective. President Sang said that Vietnam’s policy was to diversify international relations and try to build a strong ASEAN community while giving priority to developing ties with strategic partners, including Italy. Italy’s further development of ties with Vietnam is significant to Vietnam as it accelerates integration and participation in international economic links, promoting Free Trade Agreements with top priority given to the FTA with the EU. Mr. Sang expressed his thanks for Italy’s support for Vietnam’s membership of the United Nations Economic and Social Council in the 2016-2018 period as well as the country’s candidacy for non-permanent membership status at the UN Security Council in the 2020-2021 term. The two leaders agreed on measures to enhance cooperation in the coming time which will focus on exchanging and utilizing cooperation at government and local levels to effectively implement action plans for the 2015-2016 period and the role of dialogue mechanisms. The Italian President said he would urge his parliament to quickly approve the Vietnam-EU comprehensive cooperation treaty signed in 2012 and affirmed Italy’s support for Vietnam’s efforts to accelerate the Free Trade Agreement and recognition of Vietnam’s market-economy status.

State President Truong Tan Sang and his Italian counterpart Sergio Mattarella inspects the guard of honor at the Presidential Palace in Ha Noi on November 6, 2015. Photo: VGP

President Truong Tan Sang and President Sergio Mattarella discussed the escalation of illegal construction work that has caused instability to peace and navigation and aviation safety in the East Sea. President Sang urged Italy, as a member of the G7 and EU, to raise its voice in support of settling disputes via peaceful means and in accordance with international law, the UN 1982 convention on the Law of the Sea, abide by the Declaration of Conduct for Parties in the East Sea (DOC), and soon complete a Code of Conduct of Parties there (COC). Ita;y’s President voiced his support for Vietnam’s stance on settling disputes via peaceful means and in accordance with international law to maintain freedom of navigation and aviation as well as regional safety and security. President Mattarella said Italy has put Vietnam on its list of the 10 emerging markets with which to boost trade and investment. He asked Vietnam to create more favorable conditions for Italian businesses.

Italian President at the talks with State President Truong Tan Sang in Ha Noi on November 6. Photo: VGP

The two Presidents had a short press-briefing following their talks. President Sang said: "We hailed President Mattarella’s visit to Vietnam, which is the first visit by an Italian President to Vietnam since the two countries established diplomatic ties in 1973, marking a new milestone in the development of Vietnam and Italy’s relations. I would like to express my sincere thanks to President Mattarella for his support for Vietnam in boosting ties with the EU and for his call for the Italian Parliament to promptly ratify a PCA and FTA between Vietnam and the EU, as this will accelerate the EU’s recognition of Vietnam’s market economy."

State President Truong Tan Sang asks Italy to quicken the ratification of the Viet Nam-EU Partnership and Cooperation Agreement sealed in 2012. Photo: VGP

The two leaders witnessed the signing of an action plan to implement both countries’ comprehensive strategic partnership in the 2015-2016 period and an agreement on cooperation and mutual support between the two countries’ customs sectors.

Later the same day, President Sergio Mattarella was received by National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung.