The Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Enzo Moavero Milanesi, will visit Vietnam and Singapore from today 6 May until Thursday.
As previously stated by the Ministry, “the aim of the visit is to strengthen ties with the two countries in the South-East Asia region, which are of particular interest to Italy from the tri-polar perspective of the current geopolitical situation, the economic and commercial strategy focusing on expanding markets and the parallel development of cultural exchanges, which are a valuable channel for mutual understanding and friendship between peoples.”
The Socialist Republic of Vietnam is Italy’s most important commercial partner in the region and there have been important and regular dealings between the two countries for some time. The Minister’s agenda will include meetings with the Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Pham Binh Minh and the President of the National Assembly, Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan. Furthermore, Foreign Minister Moavero will reiterate the important contribution made by culture to international cooperation by inaugurating, together with the Mayor Of Hanoi Nguyen Duc Chung, the exhibition titled “The Beauty of Knowledge”, as part of the wide range of events commemorating the 500th anniversary of the death of Leonardo Da Vinci.
Singapore, which is one of the most important global financial and economic centres, can boast the fifth highest per capita income in the world and represents the number one destination for Italian exports in the region with particular emphasis on sectors with higher added value. Investments too are growing strongly as evidenced by the fact that more than 300 Italian businesses have established offices and are active in Singapore. Minister Moavero’s mission aims to confirm Italy’s strong interests and as part of the visit there will be meetings held at the highest level with Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, the Foreign Minister, Vivian Balakrishnan and with Ambassador Chio Kiat Ow. As is customary, there will also be meetings in both countries with representatives of the Italian community and companies operating in situ, as well as embassy staff in the two capitals and at the Consulate in Ho Chi Minh City.
