Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (R) and President of the Belgian Senate Stéphanie D'Hose (Photo: VNA)
PM Chinh hailed her visit on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties and the fifth anniversary of strategic partnership in agriculture.
According to him, Belgium is always among Vietnam's top trade partners within the EU while Vietnam is the biggest ASEAN trade partner of Belgium. Last year, two-way trade reached 4.73 billion USD.
D'Hose wished that via the visit, Belgian Federal Parliament and the Vietnamese NA would set up a higher level of cooperation in order to reinforce friendship and links between the two countries, including the consideration of measures to remove trade barriers and foster collaboration in technology and innovation.
She also hoped that Vietnam would issue favourable visa policies to make it easier for Belgian citizens and businesses to enter the country.
In reply, PM Chinh said since August 15, Vietnam has officially granted a 45-day visa exemption to citizens of certain countries entering the country, adding that he takes note of Belgium's proposal and will continue hastening this work.
To improve political trust and deepen bilateral coordination, he suggested both sides increase the exchange of delegations at all levels, especially those at high level. He called for close liaison at multilateral and international forums, particularly on issues of mutual concern such as conflict prevention, peacekeeping and climate change response.
In his view, both sides should maximise the advantages of the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) and strive to achieve a trade turnover of 7 billion USD in the next 2-3 years. He asked Belgium to continue facilitating the entry of Vietnamese traditional aquatic and agricultural products such as rice, coffee, and seasonal produce into the Belgian and EU markets.
The host also proposed the Belgian Senate accelerate the early approval of the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) by the Belgian Federal Parliament, as well as the European Commission’s early removal of the yellow card warning against Vietnamese aquatic products.
Expressing appreciation for Belgium's supply of ODA to Vietnam, the PM proposed further joint work in key areas such as clean agriculture, renewable energy, digital economy, green economy, and circular economy.
As one of the countries hardest hit by climate change, Vietnam proposes that Belgium increase its support in terms of resources, finance, institutional building, and human resources training to fulfill commitments at the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26), as well as outline specific projects to help the country cope with climate change, especially in the Mekong Delta, with a focus on green development and saltwater intrusion combat, he said.
On the occasion, he suggested Belgium consider increasing the number of postgraduate scholarships for Vietnam, especially in areas where Belgium has strength, such as transportation infrastructure, environment and tourism.
Agreeing with the PM’s proposals, the Belgian guest said both sides need to continue expanding exchanges and dialogues at all levels across various fields, with a particular focus on intensifying high-level exchanges to further broaden bilateral relationship.
She said the Belgian Federal Parliament is actively taking steps for the EVIPA ratification before June 9, 2024 when Belgium concludes its presidency of the Council of the European Union.
Belgium is also ready to assist Vietnam in energy transition, agriculture, and addressing the consequences of chemical/dioxin contamination, he said.
On global and regional issues of shared concern, the PM proposed the European country back ASEAN's and Vietnam’s stance on the East Sea issue, including ensuring safety and freedom of navigation and overflight, settling disputes peacefully in accordance with international law, particularly the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), toward formulating an efficient and effective Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC).
Regarding parliamentary cooperation, the two leaders agreed to increase the exchanges of high-level delegations and delegations of committees, the two countries' friendship parliamentary groups, female parliamentarians, and young parliamentarians.
They considered the EU - Vietnam Free Trade Agreement, which is being enforced, is an achievement of economic cooperation between Vietnam and the EU, including Belgium.
Hue called on Belgium to create optimal conditions for Vietnamese goods, especially rice and coffee, to access the Belgium and EU markets.
D’Hose suggested Vietnam provide favorable visa-related conditions for citizens of Belgium and other EU member nations.
Regarding development cooperation, the host leader asked the two sides to keep collaboration in such focal areas as clean agriculture, renewable energy, digital economy, and green economy.
Vietnamese President Vo Van Thuong (R) receives President of the Belgian Senate Stéphanie D'Hose in Hanoi on August 22. (Photo: VNA)
* President Vo Van Thuong hosted a reception for visiting President of the Belgian Senate Stéphanie D'Hose in Hanoi on August 22, during which he affirmed that the State and people of Vietnam always treasure relations with Belgium and are keen on lifting up bilateral ties to a new height.
Highlighting the significance of the Vietnam visit by Belgian Senate President, President Thuong said he believes the trip will open up a new chapter in cooperation between the parliaments of Vietnam and Belgium, and help further promote the growth of relations between the two countries in the time to come.
Vietnam is grateful for the support that Belgium has provided during the country’s past struggle for independence and present national construction and development, he said.
For her part, the Belgian Senate President briefed her host on the fruitful talks and meetings with Vietnamese National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and other leaders of Vietnam, and showed her impression on the nation and people of Vietnam.
Vietnamese people are among most hospitable and friendly people in the world, she said.
D’Hose said that following her visit, many Belgian delegations will visit Vietnam to promote investment partnership with the Southeast Asian nation.
She revealed that a resolution on support to Agent Orange/Dioxin (AO) victims in Vietnam is expected to be adopted by the Chamber of Representatives of Belgium. It calls on the Belgian Government to increase efforts to provide more aid to the victims and assist the Vietnamese Government in caring for them, she said.
The Belgian Senate President said she hopes the two sides will create favourable conditions for people of Vietnam and Belgium to travel between the two countries to promote people-to-people exchange and cooperation in economy and trade, and especially tourism.
Speaking highly of the outcomes of the Belgian Senate leader’s talks and meetings with Vietnamese leaders, with agenda focusing on specific cooperation areas, President Thuong said the results will help open a new chapter in partnership between the two parliaments and peoples.
Expressing his delight at the draft resolution on support to AO victims in Vietnam to be adopted by the Chamber of Representatives of Belgium, Thuong underlined that this is a good news of great humanitarian significance, and proposed that parties involved work with Vietnam to overcome AO/Dioxin consequences in the country.
In order to further foster the bilateral ties, President Thuong suggested that the two sides increase the exchange of high-level delegations, affirming that Vietnam is eager to receive Belgian delegations.
He said that the two sides should strengthen cooperation programmes and projects in the fields of education, investment, trade, climate change, digital transformation and green economy.
The two countries should also increase people-to-people exchange as well as collaboration in culture, thus strengthening mutual understanding and friendship, he said.
The State President affirmed that Vietnam has supported and will continue to create favourable conditions for citizens of the two sides in travelling to each other’s country.
He expressed his hope that the two sides will work more closely together in international issues, and asked for Belgium’s support to the stance of ASEAN and Vietnam regarding the East Sea issue, including guaranteering the safety and freedom of navigation and overflight as well as peacefully settling disputes in line with international law, especially the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS)./.
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