President Vo Van Thuong and his wife embark on a state visits to Italy and the Vatican. Photo: VOV

This year Vietnam and Italy are celebrating the 50th anniversary of their diplomatic relations and the 10th anniversary of strategic partnership. Vietnamese Ambassador to Italy Duong Hai Hung said the State visit by President Vo Van Thuong will create a new impetus to develop bilateral relations. Italian Ambassador to Vietnam Antonio Alessandro said that the visit will renew political relations between the two countries and contribute to bilateral cooperation in all fields.

Shortly after arriving in Italy, President Thuong visited and talked with the Vietnamese Embassy staff in Rome, the Vietnamese expatriates in Italy, experts, members of friendship organizations, and close Italian friends.

At the meeting, the President affirmed the important contributions of the overseas Vietnamese and the help of international friends for Vietnam’s achievements.

“The Party and State always consider overseas Vietnamese as an inseparable part of the Vietnamese nation and expect overseas Vietnamese to integrate well into the host society, have a solid legal position and a stable economy, live together, support each other and be compassionate. Overseas Vietnamese will have many activities for the homeland and for the close bonding with locals and act as a bridge to deepen Vietnam's relationship with the host country, Italy,” he said. 

President Thuong expressed his hope that they will maintain Vietnam’s traditional cultural identity, preserve and use the Vietnamese language for the next generations, obey the laws of the host country, and always look to the homeland.

During his visit to Italy, President Vo Van Thuong and President Sergio Mattarella will hold talks. Mr. Thuong will have an important meeting with Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and witness the signing ceremony of cooperation documents between the two countries. He will also meet with President of the Chamber of Deputies Lorenzo Fontana, the Mayor of Rome, the General Secretary of the Italian Communist Party and leaders of other organizations.

Mr. Thuong will visit Florence and Tuscany and attend a concert to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Italy.