ROME – Việt Nam expects that its friendship and multifaceted co-operation with Italy will develop more practically and effectively for the interests of both nations, President Trần Đại Quang has said.

At a meeting with Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi in Rome yesterday, President Quang stressed that Việt Nam highly values Italy’s position in the region and the world at large.

For his part, PM Renzi said Italy also appreciates Việt Nam’s role and position in the region and the global arena.

Host and guest highlighted the great efforts made by Vietnamese and Italian ministries and agencies in realising cooperation agreements and projects, helping to develop the bilateral relationship in a more comprehensive and sustainable way.

They agreed to increase the exchange of high-ranking delegations and meetings between Vietnamese and Italian ministries, agencies and localities, while effectively deploying dialogue and co-operation mechanisms in politics, economy, defence and science-technology, along with action programmes on collaboration in culture, education and training.

The leaders consented to raise two-way trade to US$6 billion in the next two years and create optimal conditions for Italian businesses to invest in the fields of mechanical manufacturing, new materials, nano- and bio-technologies, energy, food and timber processing, garments-textiles and leather footwear.

They affirmed that the Vietnam-Italy Business Forum, which was held the same day, will contribute to boosting economic, trade and investment links between the two countries.

The leaders also exchanged views on regional and international issues of mutual concern, and agreed to continue their coordination and reciprocal support at multilateral institutions such as the UN, ASEAN, EU, the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) and UNESCO.

Italy backs Việt Nam’s efforts to strengthen its all-round co-operation with the EU. In turn, Việt Nam stands ready to act a bridge to connect Italy with other ASEAN nations as well as the Asia-Pacific region.

The leaders emphasised the need to address disputes in the East Sea by peaceful means on the basis of respecting international law and the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea 1982, fully implementing the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea, soon finalising a Code of Conduct in the East Sea, and ensuring freedom of navigation and aviation in the sea.

At the end of their meeting, the two leaders witnessed the exchange of co-operation documents signed during President Quang’s visit to Italy.

Earlier, Italian President Sergio Mattarella and his daughter hosted a farewell ceremony for President Trần Đại Quang and his spouse who then left Rome for Milan and the Lombardia region in northern Italy. — VNS