Vietnam values multifaceted cooperation with Belgium: Deputy PM
Both sides agreed to translate the outcomes of the Belgian King’s state visit into concrete actions and facilitate mutual visits at both central and local levels.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son (R) and Belgian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Affairs, and Development Cooperation Maxime Prevot at their meeting in Hanoi on March 31 (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnam always values its friendship and multifaceted cooperation with Belgium, Deputy Prime Minister and Ministerꦅ of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanhꦬ Son told Belgian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Affairs, and Development Cooperation Maxime Prevot during a meeting in Hanoi on March 31.
Son welcomed the ongoing Vietnam visit by King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of Belgium from March 31 to April 4, highlighting its significance as the first head-of-state exchange between the two nations in over 50 years since diplomatic relations were established.
He thanked Belgium for being the first country to pass a resolution supporting Agent Orange (AO) victims in Vietnam, a move that has helped heighten global awareness of chemical weapons’ dangers.
To further bolster economic, trade, and investment ties, he underlined the need to fully leverage the EU – Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) and urged Belgium to expedite the ratification of the EU – Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA).
Hailing Vietnam as Belgium’s leading partner in the Asia-Pacific, Prevot stressed the importance of fostering bilateral ties, especially amid rapid global changes, and pledged to assist Vietnam in implementing the resolution in support of AO victims.
He also reaffirmed Belgium’s commitment to enhancing trade and investment with Vietnam, ensuring stable global supply chains. Confident in the EVIPA’s imminent ratification, he echoed Son’s view on its mutual benefits.
Both sides agreed to translate the outcomes of the Belgian King’s state visit into concrete actions and facilitate mutual visits at both central and local levels.
They pledged to enhance dialogue through bilateral mechanisms like the deputy minister-level political consultation and the Strategic Partnership in Agriculture, while considering the establishment of new frameworks such as collaboration between the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam and Belgian research institutions.
Host and guest pledged that their countries will continue close coordination and mutual support at international forums, including the United Nations, particularly the UN Human Rights Council, where both are serving as members for the 2023–2025 term, as well as within the ASEAN – EU and Francophonie cooperation frameworks.
Beyond traditional areas like trade, investment and education, they placed emphasis on scaling up cooperation across other spheres such as national defence, high technology, semiconductor, innovation, energy transition, and quality workforce training for the semiconductor industry./.
The visit reaffirms Vietnam’s role as a trusted and stable partner amid global uncertainties and underscores the need for close collaboration among Belgium, Vietnam, ASEAN, and the European Union (EU) to strengthen regional ties, he said.
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 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.
The launch of Thanh Nien (Young People) newspaper in 1925, even before the founding of the Communist Party of Vietnam, is considered a testament to President Ho Chi Minh’s strategic foresight and strong belief in the guiding power of the revolutionary media.
