Vietnamese Ambassador aims to bolster co-operation with Italian region of Sicily

During the course of trip, the Ambassador met with President of the Sicilian Region Nello Musumeci, Mayor of Palermo Leoluca Orlando, and Mayor of Castelbuono Maurio Cicero.

She also attended two Vietnam-Sicilian business forums held in Palermo and Catania by the Federation of Sicilian Owners and the Catania Chamber of Commerce and Industry, held in collaboration with the Vietnamese Embassy in Italy.

Ambassador Hue also visited Green Catania Expo 2030, met with Prof. Salvatore Cuzzocrea, rector of Messina University, Vietnamese student representatives, and members of the Italian Communist Party (PCI) in Catania.

Local Italian leaders, after sharing details about the strategic partnership between the two countries, as well as prioritised areas for co-operation, expressed their desire to increase co-operation and twin with Vietnamese localities in areas such as agriculture, tourism, and high technology.

They also emphasised the importance of tertiary and vocational training, while expressing their joy at seeing Sicily become a key destination in receiving the most Vietnamese students in Italy, with the island is ready to support Vietnamese students moving forward.

Enterprises attending the two forums held in Palermo and Catania, as well as at Green Catania Expo, shared information about Vietnamese socio-economic development, along with advantages brought by the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA).

They used the platform to raise questions regarding Vietnamese development priorities, investment priority areas, agricultural product import and export prospects, smart city development, the environment, new energy, along with the relationship between businesses and Vietnamese students studying in Italy.

The President of the Sicilian region stated that he strongly supports the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) as a driving force which can be used to promote greater investment between both sides and will call for the ratification process to be sped up.

Upon visiting Messina University, where roughly 60 Vietnamese students study, the Ambassador thanked the university for creating the best possible environment for Vietnamese students, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, the university has been providing free meals to students for over one year.

The Vietnamese diplomat noted that she hopes the university will grant scholarships for Vietnamese students to study in the fields of Italy's strengths, such as tourism, engineering, the environment, and energy.

Representatives of the PCI were appreciative of the outcomes of the 13th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) and expressed their belief that the country  will continue to be successful and contribute to peace and social progress in the region and throughout the world.

They affirmed their readiness to continue to co-ordinating efforts with the Vietnamese Embassy to organise an array of events which will serve to promote the image of Vietnamese land and people.