Seminar on Indo-Pacific marks 50 years of Vietnam-Italy diplomacy
VOV.VN - The Vietnamese Embassy in Italy, working in collaboration with the Rome-based Centre for International Studies (Ce.SI), has held a seminar themed “Dynamics in the Indo-Pacific and the Importance of Italy’s Engagement” to mark the occasion of the 50th anniversary of both nations' diplomatic relations.
The event draw the participation of nearly 50 delegates, including officials of Italy, diplomats of several ASEAN member states in the Southern European country, along with representatives from leading research and consulting agencies and universities.
As part of his opening address at the function, Vietnamese Ambassador Duong Hai Hung stressed that the EU and the Indo-Pacific region are closely linked due to their economic interdependence, common global challenges, and the rule of law.
According to Ambassador Hung, Italy, as a founding member of the EU, has made an important contribution to the EU Strategy for Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific. Indeed, it has demonstrated its interest and stronger cohesion with the region through the message of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni at the Raisina Dialogue in India, as well as the recent visit to several ASEAN countries by offshore patrol vessel Francesco Morosini.
Dr. Nguyen Hung Son, vice president of the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam, underscored the importance of the Indo-Pacific region, home to three-quarters of the world's largest economies, 60% of the global gross domestic product (GDP), and nine of the world’s largest seaports. It is for this reason that about 15 countries which have now launched Indo-Pacific strategies and aim to be involved in shaping the future of the most important region in the world and forming new global rules, he said.
If Italy desires to intensify its engagement with the Indo-Pacific region, ASEAN will be an important partner due to the bloc currently being the only international organisation accepted by all countries in the Pacific, he stressed.
At the seminar, delegates discussed a range of issues raised through five speeches, represented by Dr. Son and four Italian speakers, all of which seek to gain a greater understanding about new developments in the Indo-Pacific region, Italy's role and involvement, as well as the potential fields for future people-to-people diplomatic ties.