PM Dung, Italian counterpart talk about East Sea situation

PM Nguyen Tan Dung and Italian PM are talking about the current situation in the East Sea, Ha Noi, June 9, 2014 - Photo: VGP

This is the first visit of an Italian PM to Viet Nam since the two sides set up diplomatic ties in 1973.

During their talks on the same day, the two PMs briefed each other about recent developments in their respective countries and discussed measures to beef up the bilateral ties.

PM Dung affirmed that Viet Nam always highly values Italy’s role and position in Europe and the world, hoping both countries would continue fostering the strategic partnership reached on the occasion of General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong’s visit to Italy in January last year.

Meanwhile, PM Matteo Renzi spoke highly of Viet Nam’s great development achievements, saying his country always attaches importance to consolidating the strategic partnership with Viet Nam.

The two PMs agreed to lift up the two-way trade value to US$5 billion from the current US$3.5 billion in the next two years and create more favorable conditions for their business communities to beef up their linkages.

The two countries agreed to establish an Intergovernmental Committee for economic cooperation and the first meeting of the Committee is scheduled to take place in November this year.

The two PMs also exchanged views on a number of regional and international issues of common concern, vowing to continue close coordination at multilateral forums and international organizations, especially at the United Nations and ASEM among others.

As the coordinator of the ASEAN-EU relations, Viet Nam supports Italy to enhance relations with ASEAN.

The Italian PM voiced support for Viet Nam to strengthen comprehensive relations with the European Union and pledged to ask the EU for early ratification of the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA) and for early recognition of Viet Nam’s market economy status no later than the time when Viet Nam and the EU conclude the free trade agreement talks.

Regarding the East Sea situation, PM Dung informed the guest about China’s illegal installation of the oil rig Haiyang Shiyou-981 well within Viet Nam’s continental shelf and economic zone in line with the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.

China’s move seriously violates international law and the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) to which China is a signatory, directly threatens peace, stability, security, safety and freedom of navigation and aviation in the East Sea.

PM Dung asked Italy to lodge strong protests against China and advocate Viet Nam’s stance on settling the East Sea issue by peaceful means in line with international law.

PM Matteo Renzi said that his country backs the stance of the EU and G7 nations that have voiced deep concern over the current situation in the East Sea.

He called on the relevant parties to abide by international law and settle the East Sea issue on the basis of international law.