Vietnam, Belgium promote cooperation in multiple fields
The Prime Ministers of Vietnam and Belgium announced at a joint press conference in Brussels on October 16 that they had agreed to promote cooperation between the two countries in multiple fields.
PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc and his Belgian counterpart Charles Michel witness the signing of some cooperation documents between agencies and businesses of the two countries. (Photo: VNA)
Brussels (VNA) – The Prime Ministers of Vietnamand Belgium announced at a joint press conference in Brussels on October 16that they had agreed to promote cooperation between the two countries inmultiple fields. PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc and his Belgian counterpart CharlesMichel co-chaired the press conference following their talks. The Vietnamese PM said he and PM Charles Michel had agreedto bolster ties in agriculture, eduction-training, culture, transport andfacilitation of business and investment, especially when the Vietnam-EU FreeTrade Agreement will be signed soon. He told the press that many Belgian-invested projects inVietnam have been successful, adding that Vietnam is making constant efforts toimprove its investment environment. He added that Belgian had agreed to push for the signing ofthe Vietnam-EU Free Trade Agreement, thus facilitating trade and investmentbetween the two countries. Phuc announced that he had invited the Belgian PM to visitVietnam and his invitation had been accepted. PM Charles Michel said besides many important issues tobolster the two countries’ economic partnership, especially in trade andinvestment, the two sides also considered collaboration in education-trainingand examined the framework to promote Vietnam-EU free trade agreements. The Belgian PM said Belgium supports Vietnam’s candidacy asa non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for 2020-2021. The twocountries will work together for peace and security in the East Sea, and raisevoice to protest unilateral actions that violate peace and international law. He also said Belgian wants to work with Vietnam inagriculture, helping the Southeast Asian country develop clean agriculture and proceduresto ensure food safety.
The two PMs said they had agreed on the importance ofmaintaining peace, stability, security and safety of navigation and aviation inthe East Sea.
Disputes should be addressed by peaceful measures, inaccordance with international law, especially the 1982 United NationsConvention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), they꧒ said.
Following their talks, the leaders witnessed the signing ofsome cooperation documents between agencies and businesses of the twocountries, covering agriculture, food safety, seaport and other spheres. They include a strategic partnership agreement onagriculture between the two Governments, a memorandum of understanding (MoU) onimproving food safety and hygiene between the Vietnamese Ministry ofAgriculture and Rural Development and the Federal Agency for the Safety of theFood Chain, and another MoU on establishing a bilateral political consultationmechanism between the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Belgian FederalPublic Service Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation. A MoU on cooperation in research of smart port in thenorthern port city of Hai Phong between Vietnam’s Hateco and Rent-A-Port Group ofBelgium and another MoU on cooperation in research of seaport investment anddevelopment between Vinalines and Rent-A-Port were also inked on this occasion.-VNA
The Vietnam-Belgium Friendship Association and the Belgian Embassy in Vietnam have held an exchange in Hanoi to mark the 187th National Day (July 21, 1831) of the European nation and 45 years of the two countries’ diplomatic ties (March 22, 1973).
Belgium was one of the first Western countries to set up diplomatic relations with Vietnam following the signing of the Paris Peace Accords. From then on, the bilateral relations have been strengthen.
Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc’s tour to Belgium and the European Union (EU) marks important milestones for Vietnam-Belgium relations and the Vietnam-EU Comprehensive Partnership and Cooperation, a diplomat has said.
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.
Deputy PM Le Thanh Long proposed countries promote shared values, including building trust, sincerity, and solidarity among nations and peoples; fostering cooperation spirit and responsible behaviour as well as upholding international law and the UN Charter; and placing people at the centre and as the goal, the key player, and the driving force of all policies.
The show, together with a grand parade to be held silmutaneously at Ba Dinh Square in Hanoi, will celebrate the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution, the National Day, and the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army (VPA).
In particular, in April 2023, the two sides successfully carried out a joint operation that dismantled a major organised, transnational drug trafficking ring involving both Vietnamese and Cambodian suspects.
The Vietnamese Embassy in Israel is closely coordinating with relevant local agencies to stay informed and provide the utmost support possible for Vietnamese nationals.
PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc and his Belgian counterpart Charles Michel witness the signing of some cooperation documents between agencies and businesses of the two countries. (Photo: VNA) 
