Italy wishes to enhance defence ties with Vietnam: Official
Vietnamese Minister of National Defence General Phan Van Giang suggested continued promotion of joint work in defence industry, training, and United Nations peacekeeping operations, while exploring new fields like war legacy resolution, maritime security, military medicine, military sports and culture, and service arms cooperation.
Vietnamese Minister of National Defence General Phan Van Giang and Italian Undersecretary of State for Defence Matteo Perego di Cremnago at their meeting in Hanoi on July 2. (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – Italy is keen to further strengthen defence cooperation with Vietnam to ensure more effective collaboration in the time to come, said Italian Undersecretary of State for Defence Matteo Perego di Cremnago during a meeting with Vietnamese Minister of National Defence General Phan Van Giang in Hanoi on July 2.
The Italian official informed Minister Giang about the outcomes of the 5th Vietnam–Italy defence policy dialogue, which he co-chaired with Vietnamese Deputy Minister of National Defence Senior Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien earlier the same day. He said the dialogue has contributed significantly to bolstering bilateral defence ties and promoting the countries’ strategic partnership.
Minister Giang stressed that Vietnam attaches great importance to the strategic partnership and expressed confidence that, with strong political will from both sides' high-ranking leaders, bilateral relations will continue to thrive.
He commended the outcomes of the 5th dialogue and noted recent positive developments following the signing of the memorandum of understanding on defence cooperation between the two countries in 2013, particularly in areas such as delegation exchanges and defence industry collaboration.
Acknowledging the vast potential for further cooperation, Giang proposed that both sides intensify delegation exchanges at all levels, especially high-level visits. He also suggested continued promotion of joint work in defence industry, training, and United Nations peacekeeping operations, while exploring new fields like war legacy resolution, maritime security, military medicine, military sports and culture, and service arms cooperation.
He affirmed that the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defence would instruct its relevant agencies to effectively implement cooperation orientations, based on the shared perceptions between Vietnamese and Italian high-ranking leaders and on the outcomes of the dialogue. The work aims to foster substantive and effective defence ties in line with the nations’ strategic partnership framework./.
The two sides committed to expanding cultural exchanges, tourism promotion, science and technology collaboration, education and training, and people-to-people diplomacy. They also voiced support for stronger Vietnam–EU ties within EVFTA and EU Indo-Pacific initiatives.
To elevate bilateral relations to new heights, Vietnam and Italy should strengthen exchanges at all levels, especially high level; identify key and prioritised contents to boost economic, trade, and investment ties; enhance defence and security cooperation; boost cultural, educational and tourism cooperation and people-to-people exchanges; and develop local-level partnerships.
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Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on August 9 inspected the construction site of the new Phong Chau bridge, and surveyed a planned route for the Lao Cai – Hanoi – Hai Phong railway section running through the northern province of Phu Tho.
Across print, broadcast, and online platforms, Angolan media portrayed State President Luong Cuong's visit as a warm and historic occasion, strengthening bilateral ties and boosting Vietnam’s presence in Africa through the AU.
The 500kV Lao Cai – Vinh Yen power transmission line has a total investment of over 7.41 trillion VND (282.5 million USD), and a total length of 229.5 km, passing through 31 communes in the two provinces, and comprising 468 transmission tower foundations.
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The ruling People’s Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) attaches great importance to the friendship, solidarity, and comradeship with the Communist Party of Vietnam, and voiced her Party’s wish to further deepen and expand relations between the two sides for the benefit of the Vietnamese and Angolan people.
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Party General Secretary To Lam called on the criminal police force to accelerate the application of science, technology, artificial intelligence, and digital transformation in criminal investigation tasks such as crime prevention, detection, tracking and verification, ensuring that no area remains out of their reach.
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The achievements of the five decades of Vietnam–Angola cooperation provide a strong and enduring foundation, as well as momentum for the two sides to consolidate, expand, and bring their partnership into a new phase of development.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh stressed that the emulation and commendation work is a vital driver, fostering patriotism, dedication, and collective momentum in the run-up to the 11th National Patriotic Emulation Congress, Party congresses at all levels, and the 14th National Party Congress.
Emphasising the need for sustainable, long-term collaboration, National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man called on Japanese investors not only to bring in capital but also to share expertise and modern technology, especially in areas such as green transformation, the circular economy, and advanced corporate governance.
President Luong Cuong's activities during his state visit to Angola, the celebration of the financial sector's 80th traditional day, and the Foreign Ministry's flag-hoisting ceremony marking the 58th founding anniversary of ASEAN are among news highlights on August 8.
Vietnamese Ambassador to Thailand Pham Viet Hung praised the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ meaningful initiative, noting that the ASEAN Family Run was not only a sporting activity but also an opportunity for diplomats and their families to show unity, connection, and solidarity within the ASEAN family.
Politburo member, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on August 8 attended the first congress of the Party Organisation of Tay Ho ward of Hanoi for the 2025–2030 term, during which he called for fresh momentum to turn the ward into a model that takes the lead in all fields.
The size of the economy increased from over 5 billion USD in 1986 to over 476 billion USD by 2024, making Vietnam the fourth-largest economy in Southeast Asia and the 34th largest in the world.
The ASEAN flag-hoisting ceremony is observed by the 10 ASEAN member countries on August 8 every year, aiming to spread and promote the ASEAN identity and affirm the determination to unite and cooperate for the common aspiration of long-term peace and prosperity of Southeast Asian countries under the common roof of the ASEAN Community.
Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Nguyen Manh Cuong highlighted ASEAN’s nearly six decades of development, during which the region transformed from division to harmony, from confrontation to cooperation, and from poverty to dynamic growth, becoming a global bright spot for regional cooperation.
Thirty years ago, on July 28, 1995, Vietnam’s accession to ASEAN marked a historic strategic decision, opening a new chapter in the country’s integration process and beginning its strong rise.
