Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc receives Italy’s Minister of Infrastructure and Transport Graziano Delrio in Hà Nội yesterday.— Photo VGP

HÀ NỘI – Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc yesterday met with Italy’s Minister of Infrastructure and Transport Graziano Delrio in Hà Nội, who said Italy will be a companion to Việt Nam during its development.
He rejoiced at the progress in bilateral relations since they were lifted to a strategic partnership in January 2013, especially after the Việt Nam visits by Italian PM Matteo Renzi in June 2014 and President Sergio Mattarella in November 2015.
Italy remains a big trade partner of Việt Nam in the EU with bilateral trade hitting US$4.3 billion in 2015.
The PM believes that economic, trade and investment ties will be strengthened when Italy’s Chamber of Deputies ratifies the Việt Nam-EU Framework Agreement on Comprehensive Partnership and Cooperation, and when Việt Nam and the EU sign a bilateral free trade agreement.
The Vietnamese Government supports Italian firms in making long-term business plans and carrying out projects in Việt Nam, particularly in machinery manufacturing, textile and garment, footwear, wood processing and support industries, he noted.
He spoke highly of the talks between Minister Delrio and Việt Nam’s Ministry of Transport Trương Quang Nghĩa, adding that though the ministries inked several co-operation agreements, their collaboration has been below potential.
He asked the two governments to continue facilitating partnerships between their countries’ companies, particularly in transport.
Both ministries should increase information exchanges while creating favourable conditions for businesses to engage in transport infrastructure projects and seek co-operation opportunities in seaport management and operations, seaport infrastructure and services development, and logistics services, PM Phúc said.
He also asked Italy to urge the EU to sign and ratify the Việt Nam-EU Free Trade Agreement and recognise Việt Nam as a market economy, he said, will enhance co-operation between the Southeast Asian nation and the EU.
The Vietnamese leader also asked the visiting minister and the Italian Government to support navigation and aviation freedom and the promotion of trade in Southeast Asia and the world.
At the meeting in Hà Nội, Minister Delrio informed his host about the working session between the two transport ministries.
With its experience in infrastructure and transport building and management, Italy is ready to coo-perate with Vietnam in building seaports and airports.
The Italian Government is proud to be a major EU partner of Việt Nam and considers the country an important partner, he noted.
Echoing PM Phúc’s view about co-operation potential, he said his country’s Government is interested in maintaining navigation and aviation freedom and ensuring trade and global economic development. Italy wants to accelerate joint programmes and projects with Việt Nam, especially in aviation and railway. — VNS