President Vo Van Thuong and Italian President Sergio Mattarella (Photo: VNA)

The Statement emphasizes that this was the first Head-of-State visit between the two countries in seven years. The visit was of great significance in promoting political trust and strengthening the Viet Nam - Italy Strategic Partnership.

In the Joint Statement, the two leaders reaffirmed their determination to strengthen the Viet Nam - Italy Strategic Partnership by continuing cooperation in traditional fields and expanding into new areas such as digital transformation, green growth, and climate change response.

They agreed that defense and security cooperation are important pillars of the bilateral relations and affirmed to further advance delegation exchanges at all levels. Viet Nam will positively consider receiving Italian Navy’s vessels’ port calls to Viet Nam, in accordance with International law and practices, Vietnamese regulations, and the actual conditions on the ground.

The two sides will continue to explore the possibilities of conducting specialized training in UN peacekeeping, defense and security industry and maritime security. On Security Cooperation, the two Parties agreed on the establishment of a Joint Committee to promote cooperation between the Ministry of Public Security of Viet Nam and the Ministry of Interior of Italy. They also agreed on fostering cooperation in cyber security, prevention and suppression of transnational organized crime, hydrography. On strengthening economic, trade, investment and development cooperation, the two Parties pledged to continue to fully and effectively implement the Viet Nam - EU Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) and improve the access to the market of each other’s Party, by removing unnecessary and unjustified trade restrictions. They also agreed to maintain the effective implementation of the Joint Committee on Economic Cooperation and strive to soon bring two-way trade value to 7 billion USD.
The Italian Party acknowledged Viet Nam's recent efforts in seriously and thoroughly implementing the EC's recommendations in the fight against illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing.
On climate response, Italy reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Viet Nam’s Government in the implementation of the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) through technology transfer, financial support, institutional development and human resource training for Viet Nam during the transition.
On international and regional issues, the two Parties pledged to step up exchanges of views, collaboration and mutual support at international and regional fora, especially at the United Nations, ASEAN - EU mechanisms. The two Parties supported the building of a strong and prosperous ASEAN Community that plays a central role in the regional architecture as well as the strengthening of the ASEAN - Italy Development Partnership and the ASEAN - EU Strategic Partnership. The two Parties agreed to continue working to maintain Asia-Europe dialogue and cooperation, including through ASEF.

They reiteraited the importance of: preserving peace, security, stability and freedom of navigation and overflight in the South China Sea; enforcing in good faith and responsibly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea 1982 (UNCLOS); settling disputes by peaceful means; refraining from the threat or use of force; respecting diplomatic and legal processes in accordance with international law, especially the 1982 UNCLOS.

The two leaders underscored the need for a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace in Ukraine in accordance with the United Nations Charter and international law.