Vietnamese, Belgian PMs agree on initiatives for stronger ties
Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung and his Belgian counterpart Charles Michel agreed on ways to strengthen bilateral ties across politics, economics, culture, education-training, and science-technology.
Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung and his Belgian counterpart Charles Michel (right) (Source: VNA)
Brussels (VNA) – Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung and his Belgian counterpart Char꧒les Michel agreed on ways to strengthen bilateral ties across politics, economics, culture, education-training, and science-technology during their talks in Brussels on December 2.
Looking back on trade and investment ties, they said bilateral trade saw good growth, hitting 2.3 billion USD last year and 1.6 billion USD in January-September, and Belgium’s investment in Vietnam amounting to 420 million USD in 59 projects.
However, the two PMs said, there is some room to improve these ties given the potential and aspiration of both countries.
Both sides agreed to accelerate the building and implementation of projects in the fields of logistics, transport, green growth and outer space, while further facilitating import of each other’s goods.
The Belgian PM suggested steering bilateral development cooperation towards climate change mitigation.
He congratulated Vietnam and the European Union (EU) on officially concluding negotiations on their free trade agreement (FTA).
Host and guest consented to join hands to boost Vietnam-EU ties, push forward the EU’s ratification of the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement and the early signing of the Vietnam-EU FTA.
PM Charles Michel also congratulated Vietnam on its election to the United Nations Socio-Economic Council for the 2016-2018 tenure.
The two PMs pledged to continue working closely together at the UN, the ASEAN, the Asia-Europe Meeting and the International Francophone Organisation.
Touching upon regional and global matters of shared concern, the Belgian PM stressed that Belgium supports the settlement of the East Sea issue by peaceful means in line with international law, the UN Charter, the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, towards reaching a political and legally-binding agreement among parties concerned.
The host believed that the visit by the Vietnamese PM would deepen friendship and all-around collaboration between Vietnam and Belgium for the sake of peace, stability, cooperation and prosperity in the region and the world.
The Vietnamese PM, for his part, thanked the host for his support of bilateral links over the past time and invited the Belgian government leader to visit Vietnam in the foreseeable future.-VNA
The Vietnamese and Belgian legislative bodies will maintain delegation exchange and experience sharing, and work together to inspect the implementation of agreements reached by the two Governments.
Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has suggested Vietnam and Belgium develop new cooperation programmes to actualise efficiently reached cooperation agreements.
Vietnam and Belgium have agreed to foster links between their business communities towards greater affiliation, including in the form of public-private partnership (PPP) .
A recent Vietnam visit by a Belgian delegation, led by Senate President Christine Defraigne, has helped deepen ties between the two nations and people.
Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung and his entourage arrived in the Brussels Military Airport on December 2, beginning his working visit to Belgium and the EU.
Known as the “four pillars for Vietnam’s ascend”, the Pobiburo's Resolutions 57, 59, 66, and 68 focus on cultivating a robust national entrepreneurial spirit, unlocking resources for innovation across society, and accelerating the development of digital economy, knowledge-based economy, green economy, and circular economy, propelling Vietnam forward rapidly and firmly on the path of modernisation and international integration.
Minister of Finance Nguyen Van Thang cleared up deputies' concern regarding how to spur socio-economic growth, renew traditional growth motives and establish new momentum for development.
Vietnam proposed several priorities: narrowing the digital divide, strengthening women’s leadership in the digital economy and AI governance, and mobilising sustainable financing for gender equality initiatives in line with each country’s national priorities and context. Vietnam also advocated for genuine women’s participation and leadership across all areas of public life.
Ha expressed his hope that cooperation in science and technology, agriculture, and natural resources would emerge as new focal points and engines of growth in Vietnam–China relations.
Giang said he believes that building on the solid foundation nurtured over the past half-century and the strong determination of both nations, the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership will continue to grow in a more robust, comprehensive, and extensive manner, thus bringing more practical benefits to the two nations' people.
Highlighting the transformative potential of the draft law in revitalising Vietnam’s railway industry, Hoang Van Cuong, a deputy of Hanoi, expressed his support for Article 39, which empowers the Prime Minister to issue a list of railway-related goods and services to be assigned or ordered from domestic enterprises for production.
According to the Ministry of Public Security, Hoan, formerly Deputy Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs, is under investigation for allegedly taking bribes in connection with a case involving the Hoang Long Construction and Manpower Supply JSC and related units.
Chairing a national conference on the organisation of the examination on June 18, the PM highlighted the historical significance of the examination, as the restructuring of provincial-level administrative units is underway and the two-tier local administration model is set to officially begin operations on July 1.
Right on the same day, the ministry issued its highest-level travel warning, urging Vietnamese citizens not to travel to Israel or Iran, and advised those already in these countries to swiftly consider evacuation or relocation plans.
From the struggles against colonialists and imperialists to the period of Doi moi (renewal) and international integration, the Vietnamese revolutionary press has always played a pioneering role on the ideological and cultural front, he said.
The Party leader's working session with the standing boards of the Party Committees of HCM City, Ba Ria – Vung Tau and Binh Duong, the VNA General Director's remarks on the occasion of the 19th OANA General Assembly, the launch of new NIC - Google initiatives aimed at bolstering AI entrepreneurship and digital literacy in Vietnam are among news highlights June 18.
Vietnam and Indonesia reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation in combating terrorism as it remains a threat to peace, security, and stability across their respective nations, the broader region, and the international community.
The Vietnamese representative also emphasised the shared responsibility of relevant parties to build trust, enhance cooperation, and jointly manage the risks of conflict, thus safeguarding long-term peace and stability in the East Sea.
The National Assembly on June 18 passed the law amending and supplementing a number of articles of the Law on Product and Goods Quality, with 408 out of 420 participating deputies voting in favour, accounting for 85.36% of the total.
The Party leader asked the new HCM City to embrace a multi-centre and integrated urban ecosystem where each development pole functions as a link complementary to and intelligently connected with each other in a harmonious whole.
The resolutions issued by the PM as well as ministries and ministry-level agencies reassign responsibility for 346 administrative procedures - 18 from district to provincial levels, 278 to commune level, and 50 eliminated.
Legislators are due to pass several amended laws, including the Law amending and supplementing several articles of the Law on Economical and Efficient Use of Energy, and the Law amending and supplementing several articles of the Law on Product and Goods Quality.
Vietnamese localities' readiness to implement the two-tier local administration model, the evacuation of 18 Vietnamese citizens from Iran, Petrovietnam's 11th ranking in the 2025 Fortune Southeast Asia 500 are among news highlights on June 17 evening.
Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung and his Belgian counterpart Charles Michel (right) (Source: VNA)
