Rome (VNA) – President Vo Van Thuong on July 27 held separate meetings withGeneral Secretary of the Italian Communist Party Mauro Alboresi, Vice President of the Italian Democratic Party Chiara Gribaudo, and General Secretary ofthe Italian Communist Refoundation Party Maurizio Acerbo, as part of hisState-level visit to the European nation.

The General Secretary of the Italian Communist Party stated that he and the party have kept a close watch of Vietnam's development under the leadership of the Communist Party ofVietnam (CPV). He held that the CPV’s right orientations and resolutions have contributed tomaking the Southeast Asian nation a symbol of the struggle for independence anda model of dynamic development.

Vietnam's foreign policy has enhanced itsinternational reputation and position, Alboresi said, noting that the Southeast Asian country has promoted bilateral andmultilateral cooperation mechanisms, valued solidarity among nations,respected international law, and advocated the settlement of disputesthrough peaceful means. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Vietnam was among countries able to quickly control the disease domestically, and also a responsiblenation in cooperating with and assisting other countries, he said.

He underscored the Italian party's desire to enhance cooperation with the CPV,thereby further strengthening the 50-year traditional relationship between thetwo countries.

For his part, Thuong stated that his visit aims to elevate the bilateralrelationship to a new height.

Henoted that the CPV attaches great importance to relations with other political partiesand expressed his wish for the two communist parties to promote collaborationand share experiences in theory, practice, strategy, and policy, through whichfurther reinforcing the trust and support of the people.

Receiving Vice President of the Democratic Party of Italy Chiara Gribaudo, President Thuong said Vietnam attaches importance to promoting relations with political parties and the parliament of Italy. Therefore, Vietnam wishes to welcome representatives from the Democratic Party to share experience in building strategies and fostering public trust in the Party.

Along with promoting people-to-people exchanges, he suggested that the Democratic Party of Italy strengthen exchanges between its grassroots organisations and those of Vietnam.

Gribaudo, for her part, stressed that the Democratic Party has consistently supported the Italian Parliament and Government in nurturing relations with Vietnam. She also hailed the socio-economic achievements that Vietnam has made under the leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam as well as the cooperation between the two countries over the past 50 years.  

In reply, Thuong said the Vietnam-Italy relationship is developing soundly and during this visit, he and the Italian President have outlined a farther vision for the bilateral strategic partnership. He highlighted a significant event during his visit, which was the approval of the Vietnam-EU Investment Protection Agreement by the Italian Parliament. The President described it as a vivid testament to the longstanding friendly relations and strategic partnership between the two countries. 

He held that the Democratic Party has made valuable contribution to the positive outcomes of the cooperation between Vietnam and Italy over the past 50 years .
 
He hoped that the Democratic Party will continue to have correct policies, gain the support of the people while also strengthening the relationship with the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV).

During a reception for General Secretary of the Communist Refoundation Party Maurizio Acerbo, Thuong said ties between the two countries are growing in all fields, with the contribution of the Communist Refoundation Party. 

As the two countries are striving to elevate their strategic partnership to a greater height, he proposed that the Communist Refoundation Party supports and contributes to this goal, while also enhancing coordination and exchanges with the CPV.

On the occasion, he hailed and thanked the Italian Communist Refoundation Party for working with the Vietnamese Embassy in Italy to hold a seminar on the life and activities of President Ho Chi Minh, contributing to nurturing friendship between the two Parties and countries.

Acerbo hoped that President Thuong’s visit, along with a series of high-level meetings, will open up a new phase of development in Italy's relations with Vietnam. The Communist Refoundation Party always supports the development of this relationship, he said.

He also thanked Vietnam for sending masks to Italy during the most severe period of the COVID-19 pandemic./.