Mr Triet told Italian Ambassador Enzo Angeloni that the two countries should continue taking concrete measures to effectively gear bilateral relations to a deeper dimension. He cited the agreements signed by the two countries following his visit to Italy late last year as evidence of fine development of bilateral relations.

For his part, the Italian ambassador emphasised Italy’s policy aimed at boosting cooperation and assistance to Vietnam through the transfer of advanced technology, while asking for regular exchange of visits at all levels.

He pledged to do his best to boost economic and trade cooperation between the two countries and promote Italian culture in Vietnam.

Strategic partnership came into focus during the Vietnamese State President’s reception of the Ambassador of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Dr Antony Stokes.

The Vietnamese State President highly valued Britain’s huge official development assistance, making it the leading EU donor to Vietnam and called for an increase in multifaceted cooperation, focusing on such key areas as trade, investment, ODA and education.

Comradeship and loyalty were highlighted by both host and guest at a meeting between the Vietnamese State President and DPRK Ambassador Kim Chang Il.

Mr Triet pledged that the Vietnamese State and people would do their utmost to boost cooperation in all fields with the DPRK, and help each other to develop. He also raised deep concerns over the situation in the Korean peninsula and expressed wishes for peace, stability and cooperation for development in the peninsula.

For his part, the DPRK ambassador reiterated his Government’s unswerving policy to further develop traditional friendship and cooperation with Vietnam. He lauded Vietnam’s success in holding the 17^th ASEAN Summit, which he said has helped increase the Southeast Asian nation’s position in the international arena.