Italy supports EU’s signing and ratification of EVFTA

National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan (R) greets Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte.

Italy backs Vietnam’s bid to run for a non-permanent seat in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) in the 2020-2021 term, he added.

For her part, the top Vietnamese legislator congratulated the Italian PM on having successful talks with Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, saying Vietnam is appreciative of Italy’s position in the region and the world and desires to augment all-around cooperation with the country.

She said she believes the visit by Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte will help strengthen the Vietnam-Italy strategic partnership.

PM Giuseppe Conte said his talks with Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc opened new cooperative fields for the two nations based on the strategic partnership which was established in 2013.

He voices his hope that the visit will add fresh impetus to broadening bilateral cooperation in economics, culture, and science and technology, noting Vietnam’s economy is growing dynamically.

He showed his elation at the growing parliamentary ties between the two countries, as shown by visits, meetings and their participation in forums by the legislatures’ representatives. 

The Vietnamese NA leader noted with pleasure the two nations’ sound friendship and fruitful cooperation in multiple fields as well as effectively implemented cooperative mechanisms, like the strategic dialogue at the deputy foreign ministerial level, the defence policy dialogue at the deputy ministerial level and the joint committee on economic cooperation.

Italy is Vietnam’s fourth largest trade partner in the EU and Vietnam is Italy’s largest trade partner in ASEAN.

Bilateral trade value climbed to US$4.67 billion in 2018 from US$1.8 billion in 2010 and the both sides are aiming for US$6 billion in 2020 as agreed by their leaders.

With US$440 million in investment capital, Italy is the 32nd investor among 126 countries and territories investing in Vietnam. Italian businesses have primarily engaged in industry, mechanical manufacturing, transport infrastructure and energy, Ngan told her guest.

Vietnam and Italy have bolstered cooperation in culture, education, science and technology, especially exchanges between universities and research institutes, regarding it as a foundation for their sustainable cooperation, Ngan said.

She appreciated Italy’s provision of ODA for climate change, health care, small and medium-sized enterprise support, and vocational training, noting that it has met Vietnam’s priorities in sustainable development.

Ngan expected that the countries will outline new orientations for their broader cooperation in line with the strategic partnership in the new circumstances.

Discussing the finalization of procedures for the official signing of the European Union-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA), the host expressed her hope that Italy and the PM will work to push for the signing and ratification of the deal as it will open up new cooperative fields for both sides.

She welcomed the initiative to organize the third high-level dialogue on Italy-ASEAN economic ties in Hanoi which would foster the ties between Italy and ASEAN member states, especially Vietnam.

PM Giuseppe Conte said he wishes that Vietnam, as the ASEAN Chair in 2020, would make positive contributions to ASEAN and the EU.

The guest leader also showed his delight at bilateral economic cooperation in recent times, saying there is plenty of room for both nations to expand their partnership in the area.