* Newly-accredited Vietnamese Ambassador to Italy Nguyen Van Nam presented his credentials to President Carlo Azeglio Ciampi in Rome on June 28.

Speaking at the reception, the Italian President spoke highly of Vietnam's socio-economic development in its renovation process. President Ciampi expressed his delight at the improved spiritual and material lives of Vietnamese people. He also praised the Vietnamese state's open foreign policy for making the country an active member of the international community.

Vietnamese Ambassador Nam conveyed President Tran Duc Luong's congratulations to Italian President Ciampi and his thanks to the Italian President and people for their solidarity with and support for the Vietnamese people in the past struggle for national independence and in the present national construction and development.

The Vietnamese diplomat noted that the relationship between the two countries has been a valuable legacy for many Vietnamese generations and is a firm foundation for the present development of bilateral friendship and co-operation for mutual interest.

He also conveyed President Luong's invitation to President Ciampi to visit Vietnam at a convenient time.

* The same day, Vietnamese Ambassador to Egypt Le Tien Ba presented his credentials to President Mohammed Hosni Mubarak in Cairo.

Ambassador Ba said he believed that with the Egyptian President's assistance, he will successfully fulfil his term of office in the country, thus further promoting bilateral friendship and co-operation.

He also conveyed President Luong's wish to President Mubarak and the Egyptian people for bigger achievements for Egypt in national construction and development.

Earlier, Ambassador Ba was warmly welcomed by Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Ali Aboul Gheit, who confirmed that Egypt and Vietnam are good friends.

The Minister also pledged to create favourable conditions for the Vietnamese diplomat to fulfil his term of office in Egypt.