Vietnam is Italy's most important partner in ASEAN.

The President of the Italian Senate affirmed that Vietnam is Italy's most important partner in ASEAN and supports Vietnam's role as a bridge to promote relations between the Italian Parliament and the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Union Council.

President Vo Van Thuong meets with President of the Italian Senate Ignazio La Russa. (Photo: Thong Nhat)

During his State visit to Italy, on the afternoon of July 26 in Rome, President Vo Van Thuong met with President of the Italian Senate Ignazio La Russa.

Emphasizing the importance of the visit on the occasion of the two countries celebrating the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations and the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the Strategic Partnership framework, the President affirmed that Vietnam always attaches importance to the Strategic Partnership with Italy, including close cooperation between the legislative bodies of the two countries.

Warmly welcoming the State visit of President Vo Van Thuong and the high-ranking Vietnamese delegation, the President of the Italian Senate emphasized that this was the first Head of State-level delegation exchange between the two countries in the past 7 years, creating an important milestone in bilateral cooperation.

Expressing admiration for the past struggle for national independence and unification, being impressed with Vietnam's current dynamic economic development achievements and the strong developments in the multifaceted cooperation between the two countries in recent times, the President of the Italian Senate emphasized the friendship and solidarity between the two peoples, affirmed that Vietnam is Italy's most important partner in ASEAN; and supported Vietnam's role as a bridge to promote relations between the Italian Parliament and the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Union Council.

The two sides agreed to closely coordinate and support each other at inter-parliamentary forums such as the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) to contribute to peace, cooperation and development in the region and the world.

The President of the Italian Senate emphasized the friendship and solidarity between the people of the two countries, affirming that Vietnam is Italy's most important partner in ASEAN. (Photo: Viet Dung)

Regarding the Vietnam-Italy strategic partnership, the President suggested that the two sides increase delegation exchanges at all levels, through State, Government and National Assembly channels; and continue to closely coordinate and support each other at multilateral forums such as the United Nations and the ASEAN-EU framework to jointly respond to regional and global issues. The two leaders also wished to promote cooperation in education and training, tourism and people-to-people exchange.

Regarding the Vietnamese community in Italy, Senate President Ignazio La Russa agreed with President Vo Van Thuong's proposal to create favorable conditions for the Vietnamese community to successfully integrate into Italy's socio-economic life, continuing to be a bridge for the friendly relations between the two nations. The Italian Senate President supported the economic relations between the two countries and said that there are currently more than 100 Italian enterprises operating effectively in Vietnam.

On this occasion, President Vo Van Thuong respectfully conveyed the invitation to visit Vietnam from National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue to President of the Italian Senate Ignazio La Russa. The President of the Italian Senate expressed his honor and pleasure in accepting the invitation.

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