Vietnam and Italy have agreed to boost bilateral cooperation following talks between their two heads of state, according to the Vietnam News Agency.

Vietnamese State President Tran Dai Quang, along with the First Lady and a delegation of high-ranking officials, arrived in Rome on Tuesday afternoon, commencing his state visit to Italy scheduled from November 21 to 24.

In conversation with his Italian counterpart Sergio Mattarella, the Vietnamese leader discussed measures to deepen the two nations’ relationship and addressed several regional and international issues.

The two parties reached consensus on increasing the exchange of all-level delegations and meetings, implementing a bilateral strategic partnership for 2017-18 period, and maintaining exchanges between the two countries’ Parties and peoples.   

Economic cooperation is the central pillar in Italy-Vietnam ties, the leaders agreed, stating that they would raise bilateral trade turnover to US$6 billion during the 2017-18 period.

Collaboration in culture, education and training, and tourism will be enhanced while scientific and technological affiliation will be the top priority in the near future.

The two heads of state agreed to work with each other to soon open a direct flight between the two countries and share their experience in implementing public-private partnership (PPP) projects in the fields of logistics, shipbuilding, railways and infrastructure.

Regarding cooperation in defense and security, Hanoi and Rome will conduct more exchanges of information and experience in activities including crime fighting, and beef up coordination in training, relief operations, bomb and mine clearance and UN peace-keeping missions.

The two countries also cemented their mutual support at multilateral forums including the UN, European Union, the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM), UNESCO, and others.

The leaders agreed on the importance of preserving peace, stability, and navigation and aviation safety and freedom, asserting that disputes in the East Vietnam Sea be addressed using peaceful measures as per international law, namely the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

President Quang said that Vietnam always attaches importance to the friendship and multi-dimensional cooperation of Italy.

Replying to his guest, the Italian head of state described President’s Quang visit as a milestone of the bilateral strategic partnership set up in 2013.

Prior to the talks, the Vietnamese leader and his delegation had visited the Embassy of Vietnam in Italy, the Vietnam News Agency reported.