The two Prime Ministers expressed their delight at the recent advancements in the strategic partnership between the two countries.

They agreed both countries will increase exchanges at all levels, continue to effectively implement the action programto deploy the strategic partnership for the 2021 – 2023 period, as well as cooperation mechanisms such as the political consultation and the joint committee for economic cooperation, and prepare for the 50th founding anniversary of Viet Nam-Italy diplomatic ties and 10^th anniversary of their strategic partnership in 2023.

The leaders noted with satisfaction that after nearly two years since the EU – Viet Nam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) took effect, bilateral trade had recorded encouraging results. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, the two-way trade increased by 20 percent on year to US$5.6 billion in 2021.

PM Chinh spoke highly of Italy's inclusion of Viet Nam on its list of priority countries for trade and investment cooperation in the post-2020 period, pledging to create the best possible conditions for Italian businesses to expand investment in the Southeast Asian country.

He called on Italy to soon ratify the EU – Viet Nam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA), and urge the EU to remove the "yellow-card" warning against Viet Nam's seafood products, and recognize Viet Nam's "vaccine passports", while providing favorable conditions for Vietnamese goods, especially agricultural and food products, and seasonal fruits, to enter the Italian market.

Pham took the occasion to express sincere thanks to the Italian Prime Minister, Government, and people for timely sharing over 2.8 million doses of AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine with Viet Nam via the COVAX Facility.

Pham reiterated the Viet Nam's strong commitments made at the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) regarding greenhouse gas emissions and converting to a green and circular economy with the aim of achieving net zero emissions by 2050.

He suggested Italy, as an important member of the G7 and the EU, help Viet Nam access finance and technology to cope with climate change, digital transformation, and develop a green economy and renewable energy.

Prime Minister Draghi pledged that Italy will push the ratification of the EVIPA, saying that Italian firms want to continue investing in Viet Nam in such areas of renewable energy, infrastructure, water resources management, and innovation.

The Italian PM highly valued Viet Nam's commitments at COP26, noting that his country is ready to assist Viet Nam in equitable energy transition.

The two leaders agreed that their countries will coordinate closely at multilateral forums, including the UN, UNESCO, the Asia - Europe Meeting (ASEM), and the ASEAN - EU framework.

The pair also exchanged views on international and regional issues of shared concern, including the East Sea and the importance of peaceful resolution of disputes on the basis of international law and the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS)./.