Italian President hosts farewell ceremony for Vietnamese counterpart
Italian President Sergio Mattarella hosted an official farewell ceremony for President Vo Van Thuong, his spouse and the high-ranking Vietnamese delegation in Rome on July 27 (local time).
President Vo Van Thuong (L) and his Italian counterpart Sergio Mattarella. (Photo: VNA)
Rome (VNA) – Italian President Sergio Mattarella hosted an official farewell ceremony for President Vo Van Thuong, his spouse and the high-ranking Vietnamese delegation in Rome on July 27 (local time).
The Italian leader’s and his daughter’ hosting of welcomeand farewell ceremonies and a national banquet for the Vietnamese President andhis entourage, along with high-level talks and meetings between the twocountries’ leaders demonstrate the special importance the Italian State andpeople attach to the Vietnam-Italy traditional relations as well as Thuong’svisit.
Thuong’s three-day State visit took place in thecontext that the two countries are celebrating the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties and the 10th anniversary of strategic partnership.
Vietnam and Italy have maintained many bilateralcooperation mechanisms such as the annual strategic dialogue at the deputyforeign ministerial level and the defence policy dialogue at the deputyministerial level, as well as the Joint Committee on Economic Cooperation andJoint Committee on Science and Technology Cooperation.
Vietnam remains one of the 10 emerging countriesprioritised for trade and investment cooperation development by Italy until2030. The two countries have created favourable conditions for businesses ofeach other to cooperate in areas of Italy’s strength and Vietnam’s demand suchas mechanical engineering, infrastructure, garment and textiles, footwear, woodprocessing, supporting industries, building materials, oil and gas, renewableenergy, and food processing.
At present, Vietnam is Italy's largest trading partnerin ASEAN, with two-way trade reaching 6.2 billion USD in 2022, up 11% comparedto 2021, according to the Vietnam Customs. Specifically, Vietnam's exports toItaly last year totaled 4.4 billion USD, up 14% over the previous year, and itsimports from Italy - 1.7 billion USD, up 3.6%.
In the first four months of 2023, two-way trade topped2 billion USD, down 2.7% from the same period in 2022, in which exportsdecreased by 3%./.
President Vo Van Thuong on July 27 held separate meetings with General Secretary of the Italian Communist Party Mauro Alboresi, Vice President of the Italian Democratic Party Chiara Gribaudo, and General Secretary of the Italian Communist Refoundation Party Maurizio Acerbo, as part of his State-level visit to the European nation.
Within the framework of his State visit to Italy, President Vo Van Thuong and his spouse attended a state banquet hosted by Italian President Sergio Mattarella and his daughter on July 26 evening (local time).
Stronger efforts and determination are required to achieve and surpass the set targets, especially in the eradication of makeshift and dilapidated houses nationwide, the acceleration of public investment disbursement, and the implementation of nationally important transport projects, PM Pham Minh Chinh noted.
The trip will be made at the invitations of Chinese Premier Li Qiang and WEF President and CEO Børge Brende, according to an announcement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Long spoke highly of the dynamic, positive, and comprehensive development of Vietnam – Russia relations in recent years. He affirmed that the Vietnamese Party and State place great importance on further strengthening the comprehensive strategic partnership with Russia in a substantive and effective manner, in line with the development needs of both nations.
At the conference, participants reported that the Government has so far issued 28 decrees on the delegation of responsibilities and powers between the central Government and two-tier local administrations. Several localities have already piloted the new governance model.
Reality is the ultimate benchmark for success, he said, urging drafting agencies to work out policies that foster development, reduce bureaucratic hurdles, and respect practical conditions.
Under the official dispatch signed on June 20, ministers, heads of ministerial-level agencies, and chairpersons of provincial and municipal People’s Committees are requested to concentrate efforts on implementing core measures to ensure the smooth operations of the new administrative framework.
The Party chief underscored the need for the press to innovate relentlessly, evolve to keep pace with the country's development, transform into a truly professional, humanistic, and modern sector that serves the cause of the Party, the State, and the people on the path to national construction and development.
The UN Secretary-General praised Vietnam’s remarkable achievements in socio-economic development and international integration in recent years, noting that the country has emerged as a model in implementing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), promoting international peace and security, and engaging in key UN processes.
Nghia affirmed that this is a milestone of special significance, affirming and honouring the the Vietnamese revolutionary press’s glorious tradition of 100 years of serving the revolutionary cause of the Party, serving the Fatherland, and serving the people.
The Party and State of Vietnam always attach great importance to and give top priority to the development of Vietnam–China relations. Vietnam is ready to work with the Chinese Party and State to further deepen the Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership and promote the building of the Vietnam-China community with a shared future that carries strategic significance.
Under the leadership of President Ho Chi Minh and the CPV, President Cuong said, the press has been a steadfast force on the ideological and cultural front, rallying the masses to pursue national aspirations.
NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man stressed the need to accelerate the application of artificial intelligence and smart teaching equipment, innovate teaching and assessment methods, and further improve the quality of formal education.
He also pledged that the NA will promote its ongoing supervision, making sure that every promise must lead to results, and every commitment must bring about real changes.
Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien welcomed the proposals put forward by the US side and reiterated Vietnam’s request for consideration of key areas of interest, including reciprocal tariff policies and access for Vietnamese key export products to the US market.
Deputy PM Le Thanh Long proposed countries promote shared values, including building trust, sincerity, and solidarity among nations and peoples; fostering cooperation spirit and responsible behaviour as well as upholding international law and the UN Charter; and placing people at the centre and as the goal, the key player, and the driving force of all policies.
The show, together with a grand parade to be held silmutaneously at Ba Dinh Square in Hanoi, will celebrate the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution, the National Day, and the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army (VPA).
In particular, in April 2023, the two sides successfully carried out a joint operation that dismantled a major organised, transnational drug trafficking ring involving both Vietnamese and Cambodian suspects.
The Vietnamese Embassy in Israel is closely coordinating with relevant local agencies to stay informed and provide the utmost support possible for Vietnamese nationals.
President Vo Van Thuong (L) and his Italian counterpart Sergio Mattarella. (Photo: VNA) 
