At a reception for Italian Ambassador to Vietnam Cecilia Piccioni in Hanoi on May 5, President Quang called for increased visit exchanges and cooperation in national defense and security, saying that their countries’ localities should be encouraged to establish cooperation. 

Vietnam and Italy should continue cooperation at global forums such as the United Nations, ASEAN-EU, and ASEM as well as in addressing global issues such as sustainable development, the State leader said.

He asked Italy to support Vietnam’s bid to become a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for the 2020-2021 term and Vietnamese Ambassador Nguyen Hong Thao’s candidacy as a member of the International Law Commission (ILC). 

Quang also hailed the steady increase in two-way trade, which is expected to reach US$5 billion this year.

Ambassador Piccioni in turn said Italy also values its cooperation with Vietnam and a number of Italian ministerial-level delegations will visit the country later this year. 

Italy wants to promote cooperation with Vietnam on the 3 pillars of politics, economics, and culture, the Italian diplomat said, adding that Vietnam is Italy’s biggest partner in ASEAN.  

She used the occasion to extend President Sergio Mattarella’s invitation to pay a State visit to Italy to President Tran Dai Quang.