Mutual trust, determination, and joint efforts will make the strategic partnership between Vietnam and Italy and the cooperative ties between Ho Chi Minh City and Italian localities thrive to benefit the two peoples and regional and international peace, stability and prosperity, said Standing Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Le Thanh Liem.

Art performance at the ceremony. (Photo: VGP)

At a ceremony to mark the 45^th anniversary of the diplomatic ties with Italy (1973-2018), Liem noticed that both sides have enhanced delegation exchanges in the past years, including the visit to Vietnam in 2014 and 2015 made by Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi and President Sergio Mattarella, and the visit to Italy in 2013 and 2014 by Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and President Tran Dai Quang.

The two countries have closely cooperated at international and multilateral forums, enhanced trade and investment as well as bolstered collaboration in the fields of education, tourism and science, he said.

Regarding the relations between HCM City and the European country, Liem underlined that both sides have gained important achievements in trade, investment, education-training, culture and tourism.

Italian leaders’ visit to the southern hub is a vivid illustration for the sound friendship between the two countries while opening new cooperative opportunities for both sides in various sectors.

The Italian Government has committed support to establishing a garment and leather shoes technology centre at the HCM City University of Technology. In addition, the Italian Linguistics and Literature Department set up in 2008 under the University of Social Sciences and Humanities is the translation of positive education cooperation between the two nations.

Consul General of Italy in HCM City Dante Brandi, for his part, pointed to the need to start concretizing cooperative activities to elevate the bilateral relations in various sectors, especially those of both sides’ strengths and interests, to a next level.

Italy sees potential and opportunities in the relations with HCM City, the most dynamic city in Vietnam, he affirmed, expressing his delights over the smooth cooperation with the city to welcome high-ranking delegations from Italy.

Together with the productive results in trade, investment and education, HCM City and Italy have huge potential to further win-win cooperation in infrastructure development, museum management, tourism development, and scientific research./.

VNF/VNA