Vietnamese President’s visit opening new era of co-operation: Italian media

The La voce d'italia newspaper reported that at a meeting with his guest, Italian President Sergio Mattarella emphasised that there is not only political, economic, and cultural co-operation between the two countries, but also solidarity.

President Mattarella also revealed his intention to establish an Italy cultural institute in Hanoi in a bid to enhance co-operation, especially in science and technology, between the sides’ research centres and universities, as well as expanding their exchanges of students and researchers.

According to information provided by the article, the focus of the meeting between the two was to reinvigorate close ties. They also used the occasion to exchange two agreements signed during the visit, the Vietnam-Italy treaty on mutual legal assistance in criminal matters and the cultural co-operation programme.

Elsewhere, an article published by the Notizie Geopolitiche newspaper highlighted talks, calling the first official meeting between the heads of state of the two countries in seven years as a basis to promote the nations’ political trust and strengthen strategic partnership.

It also noted the agreement of the two leaders on the importance of bilateral co-operation in addressing unpredictable, complex, and unstable developments that may occur regionally and globally, as well as serious global issues that are increasingly impacting the international community.

The article highlighted that both sides reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening the strategic partnership via joint works in traditional fields, as well as new areas such as digital transformation, green growth, and climate change response.

They therefore consented to work together in order to ensure prosperity and inclusive development for the countries, thereby contributing to promoting peace, linkages, and development in the region and the world on the basis of respecting the fundamental principles of international law and the UN Charter.

The two also pledged to intensify the exchange of viewpoints, co-operation, and mutual support at international and regional forums, especially within the framework of the UN and ASEAN-EU mechanisms, said the article.

Meanwhile, an article on the countries’ agreements and plans for the future posted on the website Thewatcherpost.it listed areas in which both sides are enhancing co-operation. This includes Industry 4.0, space, ecological and energy transition, and artistic heritage preservation. It quoted President Mattarella's statement that describes the level of the bilateral relationship as excellent from all points of view across politics, the economy, and culture, assessing that from the Italian point of view Vietnam represents a key partner in the ASEAN region.