Rome (VNA)🥃 – The Vietnamese language will be taught at twouniversities in Italy - University of Naples "L'Orientale" and Ca'Foscari University of Venice from next year, according to Pietro P. Masina,Professor of Asian History at University of Naples "L'Orientale"and Editor-in-Chief of the European Journal of East Asian Studies.

Talking with the Vietnam News Agency's resident correspondent on the occasion when Vietnamand Italy are celebrating the 50th anniversary of the establishment of theirdiplomatic relations, the Professor said that the University of Naples"L'Orientale" will make Vietnamese an official linguistic subject,through which students can conduct in-depth researches on Vietnam by studying Vietnamese forfive years, parallel to a curriculum in humanities or political science andinternational relations.  Up to now, even in the pilot training courses, theVietnamese language has received great attention from students, he said, addingthat the university also organises community events to introduce Vietnamese cultureand civilization in collaboration with the Honorary Consulate of Vietnam inNaples. For many years, the university has participated in researchprojects and educational activities with Vietnam. It has a close cooperationrelationship with the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences (VASS) anduniversities.  In recent years, the university has increased its researchon Southeast Asia in various fields of expertise. Talking about thetwo countries’ relationship, Masina affirmed that the friendshipbetween the two peoples has deep roots.  During the waryears, many Italian groups and associations actively supported Vietnam'snational liberation struggle by sending aid and publicly showing solidarity. Diplomatic initiatives were launched to end the war, including theparticipation of politicians from different parties such as the Communist Party and the ChristianDemocrats. Over the past 50years, the bilateral relationship has grown and been deepened, especially in recentdecades. The two countries’ economic exchange has increased markedly andscientific and cultural cooperation has also been expanded.  He said Vietnam hasbecome an attractive destination for Italian tourists and many Italianuniversities are promoting cooperation with Vietnamese partners. “The cooperationbetween Italy and Vietnam is expected to develop further,” he said. In the economicfield, the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement(EVFTA) will facilitate trade and investment activities. The Vietnamese markethas become increasingly attractive to the Italian business community as itsdomestic purchasing power has increased, he said. The two countries have also actively participated in international forums with priority given topromoting multilateralism and dialogue for international peace andstability, the Professor added./.