Having enjoyed the sound friendship and remarkable developments in theirbilateral relations, Vietnam and Italy agreed to establish astrategic partnership to further intensify their cooperation in theexisting areas and expand it to new fields.
Following is the full text of a Joint Statement featuring the two countries’ establishment of their strategic partnership:
“On the basis of the sound friendship and remarkable development ofbilateral relations between the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and theItalian Republic; Willing to further intensify cooperation in theexisting areas and expand it to new fields; Given the crucial symbolicsignificance of the commemoration of the 40 th anniversary of theestablishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries in 2013;During the State visit to Italy by the General Secretary of theCommunist Party of Vietnam, H.E. Mr. Nguyen Phu Trong, on January 20 –22, 2013;
The two sides agree to elevate theirbilateral relations by establishing a Strategic Partnership based onthis Joint Statement.
The two sides agree topromote bilateral relations within the overall framework of thecomprehensive partnership between Vietnam and the EU, on the basis ofthe Vietnam - EU Partnership and Cooperation Agreement officiallysigned on June 27, 2012.
The Strategic Partnershipwill create the framework for the development of comprehensive andlong-lasting bilateral relations, particularly a broadened and deepenedcooperation in the following key areas:
1. Political – diplomatic cooperation
The two sides agree to continue increasing the exchangeof high-level delegations, including both official visits as well ascontacts on the sidelines of international and regional fora.
The two sides recognise the importance of the existingrelations between the Communist Party of Vietnam and its agencies andtheir Italian political, governmental, research and academicinterlocutors.
The two sides welcome thestrengthening of cooperation between the two Parliaments, includingmutual visits and exchanges in multilateral fora. Such cooperation mayenvisage in particular capacity building initiatives on law-makingprocess.
The two sides agree to promotecooperation between regions and local entities of the two countries,particularly in the fields of economy, trade and investment, educationand training, culture and tourism.
The two sideshighly value the outcomes of the political consultation at a DeputyForeign Minister level and agree to establish a Strategic DialogueMechanism co-chaired by the Deputy Foreign Ministers of Vietnam andItaly . The Strategic Dialogue Mechanism will be held annually onrotational basis in Hanoi and Rome to discuss bilateral relationsand international and regional issues of mutual concern, with theparticipation, whereas requested, of representatives of other Ministriesand agencies.
2. Global and regional issues
The two sides are committed in strengthening positionsharing, cooperation and mutual support in international and regionalfora, especially within the UN, WTO, ASEM, ASEAN, EU, and oninternational issues of mutual concern such as the UN reform,sustainable development, environment and climate change, energysecurity, food security, water resources management, epidemics control,Millennium Development Goals, disarmament and non proliferation, fightagainst organised crime, terrorism and piracy at sea, peacefulsettlement of international disputes.
The two sidesstrongly support the promotion of relations and cooperation betweenASEAN and EU on politics and security and economic and socialdevelopment. Italy supports ASEAN’s roadmap for the establishment ofthe ASEAN Community, also aimed at enhancing the active role of ASEANin the maintenance of stability and peace in the Asia–Pacific region.Vietnam pledges to support Italy to enhance its role and promote itsrelations with ASEAN and other regional fora in Southeast Asia .
3. Economic relations
Italy will assist Vietnam in enhancing economic andtrade relations with the EU and will support Vietnam in completing theinstitution of market economy, in view of the EU’s recognition ofVietnam ’s market economy status. The two sides express their supportfor a swift conclusion of the negotiations for a balanced and mutuallybeneficial Free Trade Agreement between Vietnam and the EU.
Vietnam and Italy realise the vast potentials for expandingbilateral economic relations, including trade and investment, and agreeto promote these relations on the basis of long-lasting stability andmutual benefits. Italy is prepared to contribute to the economicdevelopment of Vietnam through:
Sharing technologies andexperiences of Italian enterprises active in the fields ofinfrastructure (roads, railways, urban transportation, ports andairports), mechanical engineering industry (particularly for textile andgarment, leather footwear, wooden furniture, food and foodstuffprocessing and preservation) and processing industry; Promoting economiccooperation, also through specific Public–Private Partnerships andinitiatives, in such areas as infrastructure, energy, metallurgy,telecommunications, tourism, environment, healthcare, fashion.
Vietnam welcomes and will create favorable conditions for Italy ’s investment projects in oil and gas extraction.
The two sides encourage trade and investment exchangesbetween the two countries. Italy and Vietnam agree to increaseopportunities for contacts between SME’s of the two countries andbetween the respective business confederations, particularly with regardto textile and garment, footwear, wooden furniture and agriculturalproducts. At the same time, Vietnam welcomes Italian firms producingconsumer goods to open flagship offices in Vietnam . Italy confirmsits availability to support Italian enterprises willing to invest anddo business in Vietnam .
Supporting businessesof the two countries to increase connectivity and establish partnershipswill enable small and medium-sized enterprises of Italy to sharespecific technology and experience in high-quality production withVietnamese partners, thus contributing to the consolidation of theproduction industry of Vietnam , also with the prospect to reach outto ASEAN and East Asian markets.
To facilitate theactivities of the two sides’ businesses in each country, as well as tomonitor and promote bilateral trade and investment, the two sides agreeto establish a Joint Commission on Economic Cooperation, coordinated bythe Ministry of Industry and Trade of Vietnam and the Ministry ofEconomic Development of Italy and convened yearly on rotational basis.
4. Development assistance
The two sidescontinue to attach importance to Italian development assistance toVietnam , based on the bilateral Agreement concluded in 2009. Theyagree to conclude a new protocol for the development assistance toVietnam for 2013–2015 through grants and, mostly, concessional credits,in order to support the improvement of Vietnam’s economic and socialinfrastructures, focusing on water and environment, healthcare, humanresources development and support for small and medium-sizedenterprises.
The two sides will consider gradualshifting from traditional cooperation areas towards new ones, such asclimate change response, scientific training and research andgreen/clean energy.
Taking into account the positive results ofthe project promoted by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs incollaboration with UNIDO aimed at supporting Vietnamese industrialclusters and SME’s, and noting the vast potential of cooperation in suchfield, the two sides agree to identify a flagship cooperation projectfor human resources training namely in the private sector, using Italianfunds, aimed at improving capacity of Vietnamese companies to organisethe production and distribution of goods, in accordance with theVietnamese laws on labor and environmental safety.
Specificcontractual arrangements in the framework of the new DevelopmentCooperation Protocol for 2013-2015 shall be defined in accordance withthe respective internal procedures of each country and be part of ad hocagreements, particularly when they entail financial costs.
5. Cultural, education and training, scientific and technological cooperation
On the occasion of the 40 th anniversary of theestablishment of diplomatic relations between Italy and Vietnam, the twosides agree to hold commemorative activities within the framework ofthe “Vietnam Year in Italy” and the “Italy Year in Vietnam” in 2013 andpledge to encourage suitable initiatives to be implemented in eachcountry. The two sides attach importance to 40 years friendship betweenthe people of Italy and Vietnam and agree to create favorableconditions for the organisation of exchanges and promotion activities inorder to deepen mutual understanding between the people of the twocountries.
The two sides encourage cooperation inthe areas of culture, arts, sports, tourism, information andcommunication in each country, including exhibitions, cultural and artsperformances, tourism fairs and sports exchanges.
The two sides are aware of the importance of “Casa Italia” (Italy House)in Hanoi , given its significance in promoting Italian culture andlanguage as well as “Made in Italy ” products in Vietnam . They areconfident that “Casa Italia” will represent a useful platform to presenta comprehensive understanding of Italian culture and economy, for themutual benefit of the two sides.
Vietnam highlyappreciates Italy ’s experience in preserving archaeological heritageas well as in urban development. The two sides are committed infacilitating exchanges between institutional organisations and expertsin order to preserve archaeological heritage and serve the urbandevelopment of Vietnam .
The two sides agree toexamine relevant proposals by the Government of Vietnam in order toestablish the Vietnam–Italy Centre of Excellence for Training andResearch (CEFIVI) located in Vietnam . Such a Centre may become a hubfor key training and scientific research cooperation projects betweenthe two countries, with the support and assistance of the Governmentsand relevant agencies/organisations of the two countries and throughItalian funding subject to the last paragraph of point 4 above. CEFIVIwill meet the needs of enterprises/organisations of the two countries intransferring and promoting Italian science and technology to theVietnamese market.
The two sides highly value thepositive experience of the cooperation and exchanges of students andscholars between universities of Vietnam and Italy and pledge tofurther intensify such activities. They agree to establish a MeetingMechanism between universities in Vietnam and Italy convened twicea year on rotational basis, chaired by the Ministry of Education andTraining of Vietnam and the Ministry of Education, University andResearch of Italy.
The two sides welcome thesigning of the Education Cooperation Programme for 2013–2016 and theearly signing of the Cultural Cooperation Programme for 2013–2016between Vietnam and Italy .
Taking note of theimportance of science and technology and of the outcomes of the JointCommission on Science and Technology Cooperation between Vietnam andItaly , the two sides agree to renew the Cooperation Program in thisfield for 2013–2015.
6. Defense and Security
On the basis of the sound cooperation in the sector of defense, thetwo sides affirm the aspiration to further enhance cooperation in thisarea, as mentioned in the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between thetwo Ministries of Defense, signed on November 24 2000. They agree toexpand and update cooperation contents by signing a new MoU oncooperation in defense. The signing of the latter will consolidate andfurther improve the legal framework for the promotion of bilateralrelations in areas of mutual interest. Also, through the MoU the twosides agree to promote the establishment of the Vietnam and ItalyDefense and Security Dialogue Mechanism at appropriate level.
The two sides agree that in order to further deepen mutualunderstanding and expand cooperation in the defense and security area,they should enhance exchange, discussion and sharing of informationbetween delegations at various levels and between the strategic defenseresearch agencies of the two countries. They also commit to cooperate inthe defense industry field.
The two sidesrecognise the importance of international cooperation in securitymatters to prevent and combat trans-national organised crime andterrorism. The two sides are committed, also on the basis of specificagreements, in launching police cooperation through exchange ofinformation and best practices, particularly with regard to theprevention of trans-national organised crime, trafficking of addictiveand psychotropic substances and their precursors, human trafficking,illegal migration and terrorism.
7. Final clause
On the basis of this Joint Statement, the Ministries ofForeign Affairs of the two countries will develop a two-year JointAction Plan.
This Joint Statement can be revised onthe basis of written consent. It will be effective from the date of itssignature by the two sides and will be valid until it is annulled byone of the two sides through written notification with six monthsadvance.
Signed in Rome on 21 January 2013, induplicate in Vietnamese, Italian and English languages; all texts beingequally authentic.”/.VNA
Following is the full text of a Joint Statement featuring the two countries’ establishment of their strategic partnership:
“On the basis of the sound friendship and remarkable development ofbilateral relations between the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and theItalian Republic; Willing to further intensify cooperation in theexisting areas and expand it to new fields; Given the crucial symbolicsignificance of the commemoration of the 40 th anniversary of theestablishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries in 2013;During the State visit to Italy by the General Secretary of theCommunist Party of Vietnam, H.E. Mr. Nguyen Phu Trong, on January 20 –22, 2013;
The two sides agree to elevate theirbilateral relations by establishing a Strategic Partnership based onthis Joint Statement.
The two sides agree topromote bilateral relations within the overall framework of thecomprehensive partnership between Vietnam and the EU, on the basis ofthe Vietnam - EU Partnership and Cooperation Agreement officiallysigned on June 27, 2012.
The Strategic Partnershipwill create the framework for the development of comprehensive andlong-lasting bilateral relations, particularly a broadened and deepenedcooperation in the following key areas:
1. Political – diplomatic cooperation
The two sides agree to continue increasing the exchangeof high-level delegations, including both official visits as well ascontacts on the sidelines of international and regional fora.
The two sides recognise the importance of the existingrelations between the Communist Party of Vietnam and its agencies andtheir Italian political, governmental, research and academicinterlocutors.
The two sides welcome thestrengthening of cooperation between the two Parliaments, includingmutual visits and exchanges in multilateral fora. Such cooperation mayenvisage in particular capacity building initiatives on law-makingprocess.
The two sides agree to promotecooperation between regions and local entities of the two countries,particularly in the fields of economy, trade and investment, educationand training, culture and tourism.
The two sideshighly value the outcomes of the political consultation at a DeputyForeign Minister level and agree to establish a Strategic DialogueMechanism co-chaired by the Deputy Foreign Ministers of Vietnam andItaly . The Strategic Dialogue Mechanism will be held annually onrotational basis in Hanoi and Rome to discuss bilateral relationsand international and regional issues of mutual concern, with theparticipation, whereas requested, of representatives of other Ministriesand agencies.
2. Global and regional issues
The two sides are committed in strengthening positionsharing, cooperation and mutual support in international and regionalfora, especially within the UN, WTO, ASEM, ASEAN, EU, and oninternational issues of mutual concern such as the UN reform,sustainable development, environment and climate change, energysecurity, food security, water resources management, epidemics control,Millennium Development Goals, disarmament and non proliferation, fightagainst organised crime, terrorism and piracy at sea, peacefulsettlement of international disputes.
The two sidesstrongly support the promotion of relations and cooperation betweenASEAN and EU on politics and security and economic and socialdevelopment. Italy supports ASEAN’s roadmap for the establishment ofthe ASEAN Community, also aimed at enhancing the active role of ASEANin the maintenance of stability and peace in the Asia–Pacific region.Vietnam pledges to support Italy to enhance its role and promote itsrelations with ASEAN and other regional fora in Southeast Asia .
3. Economic relations
Italy will assist Vietnam in enhancing economic andtrade relations with the EU and will support Vietnam in completing theinstitution of market economy, in view of the EU’s recognition ofVietnam ’s market economy status. The two sides express their supportfor a swift conclusion of the negotiations for a balanced and mutuallybeneficial Free Trade Agreement between Vietnam and the EU.
Vietnam and Italy realise the vast potentials for expandingbilateral economic relations, including trade and investment, and agreeto promote these relations on the basis of long-lasting stability andmutual benefits. Italy is prepared to contribute to the economicdevelopment of Vietnam through:
Sharing technologies andexperiences of Italian enterprises active in the fields ofinfrastructure (roads, railways, urban transportation, ports andairports), mechanical engineering industry (particularly for textile andgarment, leather footwear, wooden furniture, food and foodstuffprocessing and preservation) and processing industry; Promoting economiccooperation, also through specific Public–Private Partnerships andinitiatives, in such areas as infrastructure, energy, metallurgy,telecommunications, tourism, environment, healthcare, fashion.
Vietnam welcomes and will create favorable conditions for Italy ’s investment projects in oil and gas extraction.
The two sides encourage trade and investment exchangesbetween the two countries. Italy and Vietnam agree to increaseopportunities for contacts between SME’s of the two countries andbetween the respective business confederations, particularly with regardto textile and garment, footwear, wooden furniture and agriculturalproducts. At the same time, Vietnam welcomes Italian firms producingconsumer goods to open flagship offices in Vietnam . Italy confirmsits availability to support Italian enterprises willing to invest anddo business in Vietnam .
Supporting businessesof the two countries to increase connectivity and establish partnershipswill enable small and medium-sized enterprises of Italy to sharespecific technology and experience in high-quality production withVietnamese partners, thus contributing to the consolidation of theproduction industry of Vietnam , also with the prospect to reach outto ASEAN and East Asian markets.
To facilitate theactivities of the two sides’ businesses in each country, as well as tomonitor and promote bilateral trade and investment, the two sides agreeto establish a Joint Commission on Economic Cooperation, coordinated bythe Ministry of Industry and Trade of Vietnam and the Ministry ofEconomic Development of Italy and convened yearly on rotational basis.
4. Development assistance
The two sidescontinue to attach importance to Italian development assistance toVietnam , based on the bilateral Agreement concluded in 2009. Theyagree to conclude a new protocol for the development assistance toVietnam for 2013–2015 through grants and, mostly, concessional credits,in order to support the improvement of Vietnam’s economic and socialinfrastructures, focusing on water and environment, healthcare, humanresources development and support for small and medium-sizedenterprises.
The two sides will consider gradualshifting from traditional cooperation areas towards new ones, such asclimate change response, scientific training and research andgreen/clean energy.
Taking into account the positive results ofthe project promoted by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs incollaboration with UNIDO aimed at supporting Vietnamese industrialclusters and SME’s, and noting the vast potential of cooperation in suchfield, the two sides agree to identify a flagship cooperation projectfor human resources training namely in the private sector, using Italianfunds, aimed at improving capacity of Vietnamese companies to organisethe production and distribution of goods, in accordance with theVietnamese laws on labor and environmental safety.
Specificcontractual arrangements in the framework of the new DevelopmentCooperation Protocol for 2013-2015 shall be defined in accordance withthe respective internal procedures of each country and be part of ad hocagreements, particularly when they entail financial costs.
5. Cultural, education and training, scientific and technological cooperation
On the occasion of the 40 th anniversary of theestablishment of diplomatic relations between Italy and Vietnam, the twosides agree to hold commemorative activities within the framework ofthe “Vietnam Year in Italy” and the “Italy Year in Vietnam” in 2013 andpledge to encourage suitable initiatives to be implemented in eachcountry. The two sides attach importance to 40 years friendship betweenthe people of Italy and Vietnam and agree to create favorableconditions for the organisation of exchanges and promotion activities inorder to deepen mutual understanding between the people of the twocountries.
The two sides encourage cooperation inthe areas of culture, arts, sports, tourism, information andcommunication in each country, including exhibitions, cultural and artsperformances, tourism fairs and sports exchanges.
The two sides are aware of the importance of “Casa Italia” (Italy House)in Hanoi , given its significance in promoting Italian culture andlanguage as well as “Made in Italy ” products in Vietnam . They areconfident that “Casa Italia” will represent a useful platform to presenta comprehensive understanding of Italian culture and economy, for themutual benefit of the two sides.
Vietnam highlyappreciates Italy ’s experience in preserving archaeological heritageas well as in urban development. The two sides are committed infacilitating exchanges between institutional organisations and expertsin order to preserve archaeological heritage and serve the urbandevelopment of Vietnam .
The two sides agree toexamine relevant proposals by the Government of Vietnam in order toestablish the Vietnam–Italy Centre of Excellence for Training andResearch (CEFIVI) located in Vietnam . Such a Centre may become a hubfor key training and scientific research cooperation projects betweenthe two countries, with the support and assistance of the Governmentsand relevant agencies/organisations of the two countries and throughItalian funding subject to the last paragraph of point 4 above. CEFIVIwill meet the needs of enterprises/organisations of the two countries intransferring and promoting Italian science and technology to theVietnamese market.
The two sides highly value thepositive experience of the cooperation and exchanges of students andscholars between universities of Vietnam and Italy and pledge tofurther intensify such activities. They agree to establish a MeetingMechanism between universities in Vietnam and Italy convened twicea year on rotational basis, chaired by the Ministry of Education andTraining of Vietnam and the Ministry of Education, University andResearch of Italy.
The two sides welcome thesigning of the Education Cooperation Programme for 2013–2016 and theearly signing of the Cultural Cooperation Programme for 2013–2016between Vietnam and Italy .
Taking note of theimportance of science and technology and of the outcomes of the JointCommission on Science and Technology Cooperation between Vietnam andItaly , the two sides agree to renew the Cooperation Program in thisfield for 2013–2015.
6. Defense and Security
On the basis of the sound cooperation in the sector of defense, thetwo sides affirm the aspiration to further enhance cooperation in thisarea, as mentioned in the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between thetwo Ministries of Defense, signed on November 24 2000. They agree toexpand and update cooperation contents by signing a new MoU oncooperation in defense. The signing of the latter will consolidate andfurther improve the legal framework for the promotion of bilateralrelations in areas of mutual interest. Also, through the MoU the twosides agree to promote the establishment of the Vietnam and ItalyDefense and Security Dialogue Mechanism at appropriate level.
The two sides agree that in order to further deepen mutualunderstanding and expand cooperation in the defense and security area,they should enhance exchange, discussion and sharing of informationbetween delegations at various levels and between the strategic defenseresearch agencies of the two countries. They also commit to cooperate inthe defense industry field.
The two sidesrecognise the importance of international cooperation in securitymatters to prevent and combat trans-national organised crime andterrorism. The two sides are committed, also on the basis of specificagreements, in launching police cooperation through exchange ofinformation and best practices, particularly with regard to theprevention of trans-national organised crime, trafficking of addictiveand psychotropic substances and their precursors, human trafficking,illegal migration and terrorism.
7. Final clause
On the basis of this Joint Statement, the Ministries ofForeign Affairs of the two countries will develop a two-year JointAction Plan.
This Joint Statement can be revised onthe basis of written consent. It will be effective from the date of itssignature by the two sides and will be valid until it is annulled byone of the two sides through written notification with six monthsadvance.
Signed in Rome on 21 January 2013, induplicate in Vietnamese, Italian and English languages; all texts beingequally authentic.”/.VNA
