MILAN — President Trần Đại Quang has proposed that Italia’s Milan city and Lombardy region support the organisation of Vietnamese cultural and art activities in the locality, helping locals in Milan and Lombardy get deeper understanding on Việt Nam and foster friendship between the two countries.

During a meeting on November 24 with Milan Mayor Guiseppe Sala and President of Lombardy  Roberto Maroni as part of his visit to Italy, the State leader affirmed Việt Nam’s keen on boosting strategic partnership with the European country.

He congratulated Italy and Milan in particular on the successful organisation of the Universal Exposition (Expo Milan) 2015, saying that he highly appreciated Italy’s support to Việt Nam in joining the event, which reflected the joint objectives of the two countries in fostering their comprehensive co-operation in politics, economy, culture and tourism.

President Quang as well as leaders of Milan and Lombardy highlighted the great potential for economic co-operation between Việt Nam and the Italian localities. They agreed to continue encouraging and backing Italian businesses to strengthen their presence in Việt Nam, especially in mechanics, machinery manufacturing, infrastructure, energy and fashion design.

They also concurred to speed up affiliation programmes in education and training among universities and research institutes of Việt Nam and Milan.

President Quang pledged that the Vietnamese State and Government is ready to create optimal conditions for Milan city and Lombardy region to set up links with Vietnamese localities.

The same day, President Quang visited Doumo Cathedral in Milan city, one of the most famous cathedral churches in northern Italy that was built in 1386.

With a capacity of hosting 40,000 people, Doumo Cathedral is the fourth largest church in Europe after St. Peter in Vatican, St. Paul in London and Seville in Spain.

On November 24 night (local time), President Quang, his wife and the high-ranking Vietnamese Party and State delegation left Milan, concluding the four-day State visit to Italy and Vatican at the invitation of Italian President Sergio Mattarella and Pope Francis.

The State leader and his entourage will attend the 16th Francophone Summit in Antananarivo, the capital city of Madagascar, from November 26-27 at the invitation of Madagascar President Hery Rajaonarimampianina. — VNS