President meets Vietnamese community, foreign friends in Italy
VOV.VN - State President Vo Van Thuong on July 25 (local time) met with Vietnamese Embassy staff in Italy and Vietnamese businesses and community representatives in Rome as part of his State visit to the European country.
Those in attendance also included foreign experts, researchers, members of numerous friendship associations, and Italian friends.
Ambassador Duong Hai Hung said that the 5,000-strong Vietnamese community based in Italy keeps close connections in life, enjoys a stable legal status, and is highly valued by the host country. Recently, a union of presidents of various Vietnamese people's associations in Italy has been established in order to promote linkages among Vietnamese associations.
President Thuong emphasised that over the past half a century, the Vietnam-Italy relationship has continuously developed across all aspects.
He outlined his belief that he believes the visit will add fresh impetus, intensify political trust, and bring the two countries' relations to a new and more effective level for the better development of each respective country.
Briefing the overseas Vietnamese community on the nation’s current situation and its achievements over recent time, the President noted the important contributions made by the overseas Vietnamese community, including those in Italy.
On behalf of the Party and the State, President Thuong thanked Italian friends for their enthusiastic support for the country over the past years.
The President emphasised that both the Party and State always view the overseas Vietnamese as an inseparable part of the country.
He went on to voice his hope that the overseas Vietnamese community based in Italy will maintain the traditional cultural identity of the Vietnamese people, pass the Vietnamese language on to future generations, and always turn their hearts and minds to the homeland.