During the talks, Xuan, who was in Rome for a working visit to Ialy frm July 29 to July 1, noted that the Vietnam–Italy Strategic Partnership has developed strongly across various fields in recent years. Given the current global complexities, she said, the two countries should enhance solidarity and deepen cooperation to effectively address global challenges.

Both host and guest agreed to increase delegation exchanges at all levels, and to effectively implement existing commitments and cooperation mechanisms, notably the 2023 Joint Statement on strengthening the Vietnam – Italy strategic partnership. They also emphasised the importance of implementing the EU–Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) and promoting trade and investment between businesses from both countries.

The two sides consented to expand collaboration in UN peacekeeping operations, post-war recovery efforts, cybersecurity, the fight against transnational crime, climate change adaptation, and clean energy transition. They also pledged to continue organising cultural exchanges, artistic events, and tourism promotion, while enhancing cooperation in science and technology, education and training, and people-to-people exchanges.

The leaders further agreed to support efforts to advance Vietnam–EU relations, particularly the ratification of the EU–Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA), and urged the European Commission to lift the “yellow card” for illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing on Vietnam’s seafood exports.

Regarding parliamentary cooperation, both sides stressed the need to promote exchanges between parliamentary leaders, specialised committees, and friendship parliamentary groups to share experiences in legislation, oversight, and innovation of parliamentary activities.

Fontana affirmed his support for encouraging EU member states to soon ratify the EVIPA, and pledged to advocate for the removal of the IUU yellow card, while facilitating the implementation of signed commitments and preparing for upcoming high-level visits.

Meanwhile, Xuan called on the Italian Parliament to continue supporting the Vietnamese community in Italy in integrating into society and contributing to the country’s socioeconomic development. She also proposed expanding Vietnamese language teaching in Italian universities to strengthen mutual understanding and build cultural bridges between the peoples of both countries.

Earlier, as part of her working visit, Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan held a meeting with Senator Giulio Terzi, President of the Permanent Senate Commission of EU Affairs, and met with Roberto Gualtieri, Mayor of Rome.

During the meetings, both sides pledged to further strengthen cooperation in various fields, including trade and investment, culture and education, sports, tourism, public transportation, urban development, digital transformation, and artificial intelligence. They also committed to working together to address global challenges such as climate change.

Vietnam-Italy ties poised for strong growth

Building on a solid foundation of traditional friendship, economic complementarity, and strong political commitment from both sides, Vietnam-Italy relations are expected to further develop more strongly, practically and comprehensively in the coming time, said Vietnamese Ambassador to Italy Duong Hai Hung.