Hanoi (VNA) – Prime MinisterNguyen Xuan Phuc has highlighted the fruitful development of the Vietnam-Italystrategic partnership across all fields, adding that the two sides boast manyopportunities and potential to enhance the bilateral relations in the timeahead.

The Government leader stated this during a reception in Hanoi on December 19for Chairman of the Italy-ASEAN Association (IAA) Enrico Letta who is visitingVietnam.

PM Phuc applauded the IAA’s plan to organise the third High-level Dialogue on ASEAN-Italy Economic Relationsin Hanoi in 2019, affirming that this will be a good chance to further tighten economicties between Italy and ASEAN member nations, including Vietnam.

He promisedthat Vietnam will welcome and create favourable conditions for the successfulorganization of the event.

Letta, who is also former Prime Minister of Italy, said the IAA is holdingmeetings on the preparations for the dialogue, which is hoped to improve therelationship between Italy and Vietnam.

This is also an opportunity to foster bilateral cooperation between theAssociation of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and Italy, and between Italy andVietnam, he said.

The Italian and Vietnamese economies have similarities,Letta said, adding that Vietnam is the gateway to ASEAN, while Italy is thegateway to Europe.

Therefore, the IAA selected Hanoi as thevenue for this important dialogue on the threshold of 2020, when Vietnam will takeoveras chair of ASEAN, he noted.

Italy is seeking to increase its influence in Southeast Asia, and Vietnam playsan important role in this process, he affirmed.

Whilecongratulating the Vietnamese football team on winning the AFF Suzuki Cup 2018,Letta expressed his hope that the two sides will have opportunities tocooperate in this field in the near future, and that Vietnamese players willhave chance to participate in an Italian football tournament.

He also expectedthe two-way trade to grow strongly, doubling in the coming years, affirming thatItaly will continue to support and promote the signing of the EU-Vietnam FreeTrade Agreement (EVFTA).

PM Phuc suggested Italy, the IAA and Letta have strong voice to urge the EU to soonadopt the EVFTA, saying that this will benefit enterprises and people of bothsides.

He saidthat the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, related ministries, and Hanoiauthorities would cooperate closely and support the organisation of the dialogue,hoping that after the event, Vietnam-Italy trade will record higher growth.–VNA