Italy has backed Vietnam's efforts to develop relations with the European Union

Italy has backed Vietnam’s efforts to develop comprehensive relations with the European Union, including early conclusion of Vietnam-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA), during Vietnam’s Deputy Prime Minister Hoang Trung Hai’s recent visit to Italy.

During the visit, Mr. Hai held talks with Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Angelino Alfano, Minister of Economy and Finance Fabrizio Saccomanni and Minister of Economic Development Flavio Zanonato.

During the talks, the Italian side said it backs Vietnam’s efforts to develop comprehensive relations with the EU, including urging the union to soon approve the Partnership Cooperation Agreement (PCA), early recognize Vietnam’s full market economic mechanism and complete negotiations on the Vietnam-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA) as soon as possible, VNA reported.

To boost bilateral economic ties, the two sides agreed to establish a Joint Committee on Economic Cooperation coordinated by the Vietnamese Ministry of Industry and Trade and the Italian Ministry of Economic Development.

The two countries also decided to create favourable conditions for the businesses of both sides and seek partners in several sectors, including textiles and garments.