Italy considers Vietnam a leading partner in Southeast Asia, Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte said during his ongoing official visit to Hanoi on June 5 and 6.

PM Conte joined talks with his Vietnamese counterpart Nguyen Xuan Phuc in Hanoi on Wednesday, following a welcome ceremony on the morning of the same day, the Vietnam News Agency reported.

PM Phuc welcomed the Italian government leader’s visit, which came after the 45th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties and the fifth anniversary of strategic partnership last year. 

Vietnam always treasures the friendship and multifaceted partnership with Italy, an important member of the European Union, he stressed.

Replying to his host, PM Conte affirmed that the Italian government wants to further reinforce its strategic partnership with Vietnam.

Italy considers Vietnam a leading partner in Southeast Asia, evidenced by the selection of Vietnam as the venue for the third High-Level Dialogue on ASEAN-Italy Economic Relations. 

The two premiers agreed that the two nations’ ties have thrived in diverse areas since the establishment of bilateral strategic partnership in January 2013.

They agreed to continue facilitating all-level visits and enhance cooperation in politics, diplomacy, economic matters, culture, education, science-technology, defense-security, sustainable development, and climate change response,

Both sides pledged to provide further conditions for the two nations’ firms to partner up in such fields as mechanical engineering, infrastructure, textiles and garments, and renewable energy.

Efforts will be exerted to raise two-way trade to US$6 billion by 2020.

PM Conte also expressed his support for the early signing and ratification of the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement and the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement.

The premiers highlighted the significance of maintaining peace and stability in the East Vietnam Sea, and the settlement of disputes via peaceful means in accordance with international law, including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

The Italian PM also met with Chairwoman of the National Assembly Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan in Hanoi on the same day.

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