The 5th Vietnam–Italy Policy Dialogue opens in Hanoi on July 2, 2025. (Photo: nhandan.vn)
Deputy Minister Chien affirmed that Vietnam consistently pursues a foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, peace, friendship, cooperation and development, and multilateralization and diversification of external relations. Vietnam is also steadfast in its “four no’s” defense policy: no joining military alliances, no siding with one country against another, no allowing another country to build its military bases or use Vietnamese territory to oppose the other, and no using or threatening to use force in international relations.

Regarding Vietnam–Italy defense cooperation, General Chien said that the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defense welcomes Italian military personnel to participate in international defense officer courses at the National Defense Academy and to study Vietnamese at the Military Science Academy.

He proposed that both sides study the possibility of signing cooperation documents, continue to promote delegation exchanges, share experience on UN peacekeeping operations, and strengthen mutual understanding and trust. He also called for continued close coordination and mutual support in multilateral forums, especially the United Nations and the ASEAN–EU framework.

Italy supports Vietnam in promoting defense cooperation with the EU under the Framework Participation Agreement (FPA) on Vietnam's participation in EU crisis management operations.

At the dialogue, Vietnam and Italy signed the Minutes and a Letter of Intent on establishing a working group on cooperation in defense equipment.

Also on Wednesday, the Italian defense delegation paid a courtesy visit to the Minister of National Defense General Phan Van Giang.