At the meeting, Matteo Perego di Cremnago informed Minister Phan Van Giang of the successful outcome of the fifth Vietnam–Italy Defence Policy Dialogue, noting that it contributed to strengthening bilateral defence ties and promoting the Vietnam–Italy Strategic Partnership.

He also congratulated the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defence on the success of the Vietnam International Defence Expo 2024, and expressed appreciation for the warm and thoughtful reception extended to the Italian Ministry of Defence delegations during their stay in Vietnam. He congratulated Vietnam on officially launching the two-tier local government model as of July 1, 2025, and reaffirmed Italy’s desire to further enhance defence cooperation with Vietnam for more effective outcomes in the time ahead.

For his part, Minister Phan Van Giang expressed his delight at the continued development and deepening of the relationship between the two countries, which has grown stronger and more comprehensive across various fields, from politics and diplomacy to economics, trade, culture, education, and sports.

He emphasised that Vietnam always values its strategic partnership with Italy, saying that Italy is currently one of Vietnam’s leading partners in the European Union, while Vietnam is Italy’s most important trading partner in ASEAN. Minister Giang expressed confidence that with the strong political resolve of both countries’ senior leaders, the bilateral relationship will continue to grow and flourish.

Commending the outcomes of the fifth Vietnam–Italy Defence Policy Dialogue co-chaired by Deputy Minister Hoang Xuan Chien and Undersecretary Matteo Perego di Cremnago, Minister Phan Van Giang acknowledged the positive results achieved in bilateral defence cooperation under the 2013 Memorandum of Understanding, particularly in areas such as delegation exchanges and the defence industry.

Recognising the huge potential for further cooperation, Minister Giang proposed that both sides intensify delegation exchanges at all levels, especially high-level visits; bolster cooperation in defence industry, training, and UN peacekeeping; and explore new areas of co-operation such as war legacy remediation, maritime security, military medicine, military culture and sports, and cooperation among military arms and branches.

Minister Giang affirmed that the Ministry of National Defence of Vietnam will instruct relevant agencies to effectively implement the cooperation orientations based on the common perceptions of the two countries' senior leaders and the outcomes agreed upon at this Dialogue, thereby forging Vietnam–Italy defence ties in a practical and effective manner, in line with the Strategic Partnership framework.

Vietnam, Italy reinforce strategic partnership at fifth defence dialogue

VOV.VN - The fifth Vietnam-Italy Defence Policy Dialogue was co-chaired by Deputy Defence Minister Senior Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien and Matteo Perego di Cremnago, Undersecretary of State for Defence of Italy on July 2 in Hanoi.