Vietnam - Italy Strategic Partnership develops strongly
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that within the framework of the working visit to Italy (29/6/7/), at the invitation of President of the Italian House of Representatives Lorenzo Fontana, on June 30 (local time), Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan held talks with President of the Italian House of Representatives Lorenzo Fontana.
The Vice President assessed that the Vietnam - Italy Strategic Partnership has developed strongly in many fields in recent times. The two sides agreed to promote delegation exchanges at all levels, especially at high levels, and actively implement existing commitments, agreements, and cooperation mechanisms, especially the Joint Statement on strengthening strategic Partnership in 2023; continue to effectively implement the EVFTA Agreement, enhance trade and investment promotion between the business communities of the two countries; enhance cooperation in peacekeeping within the United Nations framework, exchanging expertise in the fields of overcoming the consequences of war, cyber security, preventing and combating transnational crimes; support Vietnam in responding to climate change and clean energy transition; continue to coordinate in organizing cultural and artistic exchanges and promoting tourism; strengthen cooperation in other areas such as science - technology, education - training and people-to-people exchanges.
The two sides also agreed to support the promotion of Vietnam - EU relations, especially within the framework of EVFTA as well as EU initiatives for the Indo-Pacific region.
Regarding parliamentary cooperation, the two sides agreed to increase exchanges of delegations of National Assembly leaders, leaders of committees as well as groups of parliamentarians to share experiences in legislation, supervise and innovate parliamentary activities; at the same time, closely coordinate at international parliamentary forums.
Speaker Lorenzo Fontana affirmed that there will be a voice to mobilize the Parliaments of the remaining European Union (EU) member countries to soon ratify the EVIPA Investment Protection Agreement, urge the European Commission to remove the IUU "yellow card" for Vietnam's seafood exports, and promote the implementation of commitments signed between the two countries to prepare well for high-level visits between the two sides in the coming time.
Vietnam - Vatican increase exchanges
Also on June 30, at the Vatican City, Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan paid a courtesy visit to Pope Leo XIV. King Leo XIV said that although he has not been in office for long, he has been informed about the good development of Vietnam - Vatican relations in recent times, and the two sides have upgraded their relationship to Permanent Representative of the Holy See in Vietnam.
The Pope hopes that the two sides will increase exchanges, especially through the Vietnam - Vatican Joint Working Group mechanism, to further develop bilateral relations, meeting the expectations of parishioners as well as the interests of Vietnam and the Vatican City.
Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan affirmed that Vietnam attaches importance to and is ready to promote relations with the Holy See. Appreciating the instructions, teachings, and messages of the popes to the Vietnamese Church, the Vice President suggested that Pope Leo XIV continue to support and pay attention to promoting the good relationship between Vietnam and the See, guide and encourage the Vietnamese Catholic Community to well implement the orientation of "Fulfilling in God, Fatherland", "living a good life, practicing goodness", actively contributing to the development of the country with the spirit of "the Vietnamese Catholic Church accompanies the nation", "A good Catholic is also a good citizen", "Living in harmony among the people to serve the happiness of the people".
