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Vietnam-Italy strategic partnership enhanced

Prime Minister of Italy Giuseppe Conte's official visit to Vietnam from June 5-6 has enhanced the strategic partnership between Vietnam and Italy, and promoted the two countries' coordination and mutual support at multilateral forums.
Vietnam and Italy set up diplomatic ties on March 23, 1973 and promoted their relationship to a strategic partnership in 2013. Bilateral ties have thrived in diverse areas, from politics and economy to culture, education, and locality-to-locality cooperation.

Two-way trade tripled within the past decade from 1.5 billion US dollars in 2009 to 4.67 billion US dollars in 2018. In the first three months of 2019, Vietnam's exports to Italy reached 918 million US dollars.

Italy is now the forth largest trade partner of Vietnam in the European Union (EU) while Vietnam is the biggest trade partner of Italy in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
 
By the end of 2017, Italy ranked 32nd among 128 countries and territories investing in Vietnam with 86 projects worth 388 million US dollars. Italy's investment in Vietnam focuses on industry, mechanical manufacturing, leather footwear, construction, steel and bathroom fixtures.

The Italian government has included Vietnam in the list of 10 emerging markets to be prioritized for trade and investment.
The two countries established  the Vietnam-Italy Joint Committee for Economic Cooperation. The Committee held its first meeting in Hanoi in 2014. The following meetings were held in Rome in 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018.

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc hosts a welcome ceremony for Intalian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte at the Presidential Palace.
Photo: Thong Nhat / VNA 



The two prime ministers at the welcome ceremony. Photo: Thong Nhat / VNA



 PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc receives his Italian counterpart 
Giuseppe Conte at the Presidential Palace. Photo: VNA


The two leaders hold talks. Photo: Doan Tan / VNA


The two prime ministers hold a press conference. Photo: Doan Tan / VNA 


National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan receives Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte. Photo: Trong Duc / VNA

 
In the 1980s, Italy started providing ODA for Vietnam in prioritized areas, including water supply and drainage, environmental protection, human resources development, and health.

Italy is assisting Vietnam in 11 operating projects and six others which are being in the preparation process with total committed capital of over 100 million Euros. The projects are in water source management, environmental protection, support for small and medium enterprises, and health.

People-to-people exchange, particularly through locality-to-locality cooperation, has increasingly developed. Many localities of the two countries have entered into cooperation, including cooperation between Binh Duong and Emilia Romagna, Ba Ria Vung Tau and Veneto, Hanoi and Lazio. Quang Ngai, Phu Yen, Yen Bai, Phu Tho and Can Tho are also in the process of signing cooperation agreements with localities of Italy.

Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte pays tribute to President Ho Chi Minh at his mausoleum. Photo: Doan Tan / VNA 


The Italian Prime Minister addresses the event "The Italian Technologies for Vietnam's Smart and Circular Economy". Photo: Doan Tan / VNA 

He attends a ceremony to mark Italy's 73rd Liberation Day. Photo: Doan Tan / VNA



The Italian Prime Minister addresses the 3rd High-Level Dialogue on Italy-ASEAN Economic Relations. Photo: Doan Tan / VNA


PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc, Italian PM Giuseppe Conte and Deputy PM Trinh Dinh Dung attend the 3rd High-Level Dialogue on Italy-ASEAN Economic Relations. Photo: Doan Tan / VNA


The Italian Prime Minister visits President Ho Chi Minh relic site in the Presidential Palace. Photo: Doan Tan / VNA


He also visits the Temple of Literature in Hanoi. Photo: Doan Tan / VNA 
Cooperation in culture, education and tourism have also thrived. Vietnam and Italy have 72 cooperation projects on education and training. Italy annually gives Vietnam scholarships for Italian language and master's degree training. The numbers of Vietnamese students studying in Italy and students studying Italian language in Vietnam have increased.

The two sides signed a cultural cooperation program for  2018-2021, and is going to sign an educational cooperation program for 2018-2021 and an agreement on recognition and equivalence of diplomas.

From 2003 to 2013, Italy funded 1.5 million US dollars for Vietnam to upgrade My Son relic site. The two sides have frequently held cultural weeks and months in Italy and Vietnam. In 2018, the number of Italian visitors to Vietnam reached 65,000. 

Vietnam and Italy successfully organized the Vietnam Year in Italy and Italy Year in Vietnam to mark the 40th anniversary of their diplomatic ties.
Story: VNP Photos: VNA
 

Investing in the Aviation Infrastructure to Foster Economic Development and Connectivity

Investing in the Aviation Infrastructure to Foster Economic Development and Connectivity

In recent years, Vietnam has made strides in upgrading, expanding, and constructing new aviation infrastructures with significant investments from both the government and private sectors. However, the pace of development has not kept up with the national and international growth rates. Recognizing the need for a breakthrough to boost the economy, promote tourism, and attract investments, the Prime Minister has approved a comprehensive plan for the development of the airport system and terminals until 2030, with a vision to 2050.

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