The Italy-Vietnam Friendship Association has launched an Italianlanguage publication themed “Hoang Sa and Truong Sa archipelagos:integral part of Vietnam’s territory” on the occasion of the 20 thpublishing anniversary of its Mekong Magazine.

Presentingdocumentation from Vietnam and other countries, the publication aims toprovide Italian readers with insight into Vietnam’s discovery andsovereignty claim over the two archipelagos.

Political andhistorical events and the debate following China’s recent dispatching ofan oil rig to Vietnam’s continental shelf and exclusive economic zone –which was considered an illegal move that aroused internationalconcerns and threatened peace in the region and the world – weredetailed in the publication.

The special issue was presented touniversities, organisations and individuals in Italy and other Europeancountries. The Association plans to disseminate the current issuethrough Italian cities, expanding the awareness of the enclosedinformation.

Sandra Scagliotti, Vietnamese Honour Consul in Turincity, who is also chief editor of the publication, emphasised thesignificance of the publication as a tangible representation of thesupport of Italians for Vietnam’s efforts to safeguard its sovereigntyand territorial integrity.

Initiated in 1994, the MekongMagazine features habits and customs, culture, history, and languages ofVietnam and other Indochinese nations, making practical contributionsto raising Italian readers and scholars’ knowledge of Vietnam as well aspromoting friendship and mutual understanding between the two peoples.

TheItaly-Vietnam Friendship Association was established in 1986 and nowhas 7 chapters in Italy. Besides its website, the association runs alibrary with thousands of book titles on Vietnam.-VNA