FM desires broader trade and investment cooperation with Italy
VOV.VN - Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son suggested Vietnam and Italy bolster cooperation in trade and investment, and expanding their collaboration in other areas at a reception for Italian Undersecretary of State for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Manlio Di Stefano in Hanoi on June 7.
During the reception, the Vietnamese diplomat affirmed Vietnam’s recognition of importance to fostering its strategic partnership with Italy and showed his elation at the progress of the relationship in recent times.
He also asked both nations to consider expanding their partnerships in climate change response, infrastructure, agriculture, food security and personnel training.
Son called on the European nation to help Vietnam access finance and technologies to fulfill its commitments at the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) in Glasgow, the UK, last year.
He said he expects that Italy would coordinate with Vietnam in the implementation of the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) and push for the ratification of the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA), for the sake of their businesses.
In response, Stefano hailed the close cooperation between the two nations even amid the COVID-19 pandemic, especially in maintaining exchanges by senior leaders and cooperation programmes.
He also briefed his host on the outcomes of the seventh meeting of the Vietnam-Italy joint committee for economic cooperation, while affirming that economic cooperation remains a priority in the bilateral ties.
Italy pledged to intensify trade and investment activities in Vietnam – its leading important partner in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
During the meeting, host and guest consented to outline an action programme to carry out the strategic partnership for 2021-2023, and coordinate to launch a range of activities marking the 50th founding anniversary of diplomatic relations, and the 10th anniversary of the strategic partnership in 2023, including exchanging high-ranking delegations and cooperation programmes between ministries, agencies and localities of the two countries.
Stefano thanked Vietnam for supporting Italy in becoming a development partner of ASEAN, applauded Vietnam’s contributions to the bloc, and suggested the country further help Italy strengthen its presence in the region and speed up cooperation projects with ASEAN on sustainable development, space and the environment.