President Mattarella acknowledged the excellent relationship Italy has with ASEAN and its Member States, and expressed the confidence that his visit to the countries in the region would contribute to advancing the existing mutually beneficial ties, in which vast potentials have yet to be tapped. He sees similarity in the integration process in the EU and ASEAN, which have been instrumental in forging peace, stability and economic development. He assured of Italy's contributing role and support towards to the goals and objectives of ASEAN Community. He firmly believed in future of ASEAN-EU strategic partnership and expressed Italy's strong commitment to workg with ASEAN in areas such as political and security, trade and investment and connectivity. He strongly supported the resumption of a region-to-region FTA.