Belgian King’s visit to Vietnam: A catalyst for stronger bilateral ties
Pierre Gréga, President of the Belgium-Vietnam Friendship Association, hailed the upcoming state visit of Belgian King Philippe and Queen Mathilde to Vietnam from March 31 to April 4 as a “golden opportunity” to strengthen the bilateral partnership.
Pierre Gréga, President of the Belgium-Vietnam Friendship Association, speaks at event supporting Vietnamese Agent Orange victims in Brussels, Belgium, February 2025. (Photo: VNA)
Brussels (VNA) – The upcomin💞g state visit of Belgian King Philippe and Queen Mathilde to Vietnam from March 31 to April 4 is anticipated to usher in a new chapter in Vietnam-Belgium relations, fostering deeper cooperation across multiple sectors.
Pierre Gréga, President of the Belgium-Vietnam Friendship Association, hailed the visit as a “golden opportunity” to strengthen the bilateral partnership.
Speaking to Vietnam News Agency correspondents in Brussels, Gréga emphasised the significant potential for collaboration between the two nations. Despite being relatively small on the global stage, both Vietnam and Belgium stand to benefit greatly from enhanced cooperation, particularly amid current global uncertainties driven by major power dynamics.
Gréga highlighted the shared challenges facing both countries and suggested they could support one another on international platforms such as the United Nations. He also pointed to promising economic prospects, notably in maritime trade, citing the strategic linkage between the Port of Antwerp and Da Nang Port. Additionally, he underscored the rich history of educational and scientific collaboration, with thriving student and researcher exchange programs strengthening ties between the two nations' academic institutions.
Fostering relations built on mutual respect and seeking win-win measures will be key to achieving sustainable growth, he added.
Belgian Minister of State André Flahaut echoed this optimism, stressing the importance of bolstering bilateral ties, particularly through improved visa policies. He underscored the need to facilitate easier access for students, researchers, and professionals, viewing this as vital for advancing cooperation. Flahaut also urged Belgium to expedite the ratification of international agreements to further boost engagement with Vietnam.
The visit by the Belgian King and Queen is expected to invigorate the Vietnam-Belgium partnership, unlocking new opportunities for collaboration in trade, education, science, and more. With mutual understanding and respect for cultural diversity seen as key pillars, this visit is set to deepen bonds and strengthen the foundation for long-term cooperation./.
Vietnamese bookcases in Belgium provide not only Vietnamese expatriates but also international friends with an opportunity to deepen their understanding and appreciation of Vietnamese cultural values.
Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Hoa Binh highlighted the vital role of the Vietnamese intellectual diaspora in national development. He proposed a strategy for training financial professionals, including sending them to Luxembourg for study, to contribute to the development of key financial centres in Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang.
A delegation of the National Assembly (NA) Standing Committee led by its member and Chairman of the NA Committee for Culture and Education Nguyen Dac Vinh paid a working visit to Belgium from December 4-7, with the aim of consolidating and deepening the bilateral friendship.
The Vietnamese Embassy advises the Vietnamese community living, studying, and working in Israel to strictly comply with directions from the Home Front Command and local authorities.
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The State Committee for Overseas Vietnamese Affairs (SCOVA) has served as a bridge connecting and uniting the community with the homeland, becoming a trusted source of support for Vietnamese expats in times of hardship.
The programme to eliminate temporary and dilapidated houses has achieved notable results, with nearly 263,000 housing units addressed to date, including 225,000 houses inaugurated and 38,000 under construction. Thirty-eight provinces and cities across the nation have already fulfilled their targets.
Stronger efforts and determination are required to achieve and surpass the set targets, especially in the eradication of makeshift and dilapidated houses nationwide, the acceleration of public investment disbursement, and the implementation of nationally important transport projects, PM Pham Minh Chinh noted.
The trip will be made at the invitations of Chinese Premier Li Qiang and WEF President and CEO Børge Brende, according to an announcement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Long spoke highly of the dynamic, positive, and comprehensive development of Vietnam – Russia relations in recent years. He affirmed that the Vietnamese Party and State place great importance on further strengthening the comprehensive strategic partnership with Russia in a substantive and effective manner, in line with the development needs of both nations.
At the conference, participants reported that the Government has so far issued 28 decrees on the delegation of responsibilities and powers between the central Government and two-tier local administrations. Several localities have already piloted the new governance model.
Reality is the ultimate benchmark for success, he said, urging drafting agencies to work out policies that foster development, reduce bureaucratic hurdles, and respect practical conditions.
Under the official dispatch signed on June 20, ministers, heads of ministerial-level agencies, and chairpersons of provincial and municipal People’s Committees are requested to concentrate efforts on implementing core measures to ensure the smooth operations of the new administrative framework.
The Party chief underscored the need for the press to innovate relentlessly, evolve to keep pace with the country's development, transform into a truly professional, humanistic, and modern sector that serves the cause of the Party, the State, and the people on the path to national construction and development.
The UN Secretary-General praised Vietnam’s remarkable achievements in socio-economic development and international integration in recent years, noting that the country has emerged as a model in implementing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), promoting international peace and security, and engaging in key UN processes.
Nghia affirmed that this is a milestone of special significance, affirming and honouring the the Vietnamese revolutionary press’s glorious tradition of 100 years of serving the revolutionary cause of the Party, serving the Fatherland, and serving the people.
The Party and State of Vietnam always attach great importance to and give top priority to the development of Vietnam–China relations. Vietnam is ready to work with the Chinese Party and State to further deepen the Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership and promote the building of the Vietnam-China community with a shared future that carries strategic significance.
Under the leadership of President Ho Chi Minh and the CPV, President Cuong said, the press has been a steadfast force on the ideological and cultural front, rallying the masses to pursue national aspirations.
NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man stressed the need to accelerate the application of artificial intelligence and smart teaching equipment, innovate teaching and assessment methods, and further improve the quality of formal education.
He also pledged that the NA will promote its ongoing supervision, making sure that every promise must lead to results, and every commitment must bring about real changes.
Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien welcomed the proposals put forward by the US side and reiterated Vietnam’s request for consideration of key areas of interest, including reciprocal tariff policies and access for Vietnamese key export products to the US market.
