At the meeting, Italian Ambassador to Vietnam Andrea Perugini spoke of the aspects of Italian culture and affirmed that he would continue to boost ties of cooperation with Vietnam,

Meanwhile, the President of the Vietnam-Italy Friendship Association, Bui Ba Bong, who is also Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, recalled the history of the traditional relations of unity and friendship between Vietnam and Italy. He also reminded that in the 1930s, Nguyen Ai Quoc, later President Ho Chi Minh, visited and worked in Italy for a period of time.

Mr Bong highlighted the gains achieved by the Italian people over the past 60 years as well as their creativity, passion and dedication to the development of their country.

He said Vietnam admired the efforts by the Italian government to preserve and build on its cultural heritage.

Mr Bong, on behalf of the Vietnamese people, thanked the Italian government and citizens for their feelings and assistance to Vietnam. He pledged that his friendship association will do its utmost to nourish the friendly and cooperative relationship between the two countries and peoples for the sake of peace, security and development in each region and all over the world.