Deputy Prime Minister Truong Hoa Binh (L) meets with Italy’s Lower House Speaker Roberto Fico on October 18 (Photo: VNA)Rome (VNA) - Deputy Prime Minister Truong HoaBinh called on the Italian parliament to support the early signing andratification of the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) during his meetingwith Italy’s Lower House Speaker Roberto Fico on October 18.
Binh expressed his hope that the economic, trade andinvestment ties between Vietnamand Italywill grow further, matching their potential and strength.
He urged the two sides to lift the bilateral trade to 6billion USD in the time ahead, and encouraged Italian businesses to step uptheir investment in Vietnam in such areas as support industry, manufacturingmechanics, infrastructure, energy and tourism.
The official highlighted the fruitful strategic partnershipbetween Vietnam and Italy acrossfields, from politics-diplomacy to trade-investment, culture, education,science-technology, justice and environment.
The two countries have organised diverse activities thisyear to celebrate the 45th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic tiesand five years of the implementation of the strategic partnership, he said.
For his part, Roberto Fico lauded achievements insocio-economic development and international integration Vietnam has recorded, describingthe country as a bright example of development.
He shared the Vietnamese Deputy PM’s view on the need toincrease meetings and exchanges between the two countries as well as their legislatures.
The Italian parliament stands ready to join hands withVietnam in enhancing cooperation in economy and other fields like health care,tourism and education and training, thus benefiting people of both countries,Roberto Fico said.
He also applauded the contributions of the Vietnamesecommunity in Italy to cultural diversity and prosperity in the host country,and to promoting relations between the two countries.
On this occasion, Dupty PM Binh extended National AssemblyChairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan’s invitation to the Italian Lower House Speakerto visit Vietnamat a suitable time. Roberto Fico accepted the invitation with pleasure.
The Deputy PM is paying a visit to the Vatican from October18-20.-VNA
VNA
