Welcoming the Vietnamese high-level delegation, Fontana described the visit as an important milestone marking a new phase in bilateral relations.

He expressed strong interest in Vietnam’s development and praised the country’s recent socio-economic achievements. On this occasion, he also extended congratulations to General Secretary and President To Lam and other newly elected senior leaders of Vietnam.

As one of the first European countries to establish diplomatic relations with Vietnam, Italy reaffirmed its commitment to further strengthening the Vietnam–Italy Strategic Partnership.

For his part, Man highlighted the steady development of bilateral ties over more than 50 years of diplomatic relations and over a decade of Strategic Partnership.

He noted that while traditional areas such as trade, investment, and education remain important, both sides should expand cooperation into Italy’s strengths, including fashion, digital economy, green economy, and energy.

He also emphasised that the direct Hanoi–Milan air route would help boost people-to-people exchanges and promote tourism and cultural connectivity between the two countries.

Discussing future orientations, the Vietnamese leader proposed that the two legislative bodies further consolidate political trust through enhanced exchanges at all levels, particularly among parliamentary leaders, committees, and friendship groups.

Both sides agreed to increase the sharing of legislative and oversight experience to improve legal frameworks, while strengthening the role of parliaments in supervising and implementing bilateral agreements and high-level commitments.

Man also stressed the importance of linking parliamentary diplomacy with practical cooperation, promoting local-to-local connections, and enhancing coordination at regional and international forums.

The two leaders reaffirmed their determination to deepen bilateral ties through both bilateral and multilateral channels.

Man affirmed that Vietnam stands ready to act as a bridge to strengthen cooperation between the Italian Parliament and the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) as well as ASEAN.

Fontana pledged to advocate for remaining EU member states to soon ratify the EU–Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA), and to support efforts by the European Commission to lift the “yellow card” on Vietnam’s seafood exports.

Amid complex global and regional developments, both sides underscored the importance of promoting dialogue, strengthening political trust, respecting international law, and supporting multilateralism.

On this occasion, Chairman Tran Thanh Man invited President Lorenzo Fontana to visit Vietnam. The Italian leader accepted the invitation and expressed his intention to make the visit in the near future.

Vietnam–Italy ties set for breakthrough as untapped potential comes into focus

VOV.VN - As the strategic partnership between Vietnam and Italy enters a more substantive phase, a policy dialogue held in Milan on April 13 has underscored a key message that bilateral cooperation remains far below its full potential and is poised for significant expansion.