Hanoi (VNA) – The official visit toVietnam from August 21-25 by President of the Belgian Senate Stephanie D'Hose isexpected to forge economic, trade and investment cooperation between the twocountries, as well as their legislative ties, a legislator has said.

It also aims to enhance coordination between Vietnamand Belgium at multilateral forums like the United Nations (UN), and regionaland international inter-parliamentary organisations, Vice Chairman of theNational Assembly Committee for External Relations Don Tuan Phong told thepress ahead of the visit.

He stressed that D'Hose is the highest-ranking politicianof Belgium to visit Vietnam this year, adding the trip also offers a chance forthe two sides to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the bilateraldiplomatic relations (March 22, 1973).

Within the framework of the visit, the Vietnamese NAis scheduled to sign cooperation agreements with both the Belgian Senate andthe House of Representatives, Phong said.

The official emphasised that Belgium is Vietnam’simportant partner in Europe and the world as well, particularly in economy andtrade, adding Belgium serves as a gateway for Vietnamese goods to access theEuropean market.

As the location where international agencies andorganisations and businesses, and EU agencies are headquartered, Belgium playsa crucial role in promoting relations between Vietnam and the EU and the regionat large, he continued.

During the visit, the two sides will review their cooperationoutcomes over the past five years, and set forth cooperation measures in thetime ahead, especially in agriculture in which they have set up a strategicpartnership, according to the legislator.

Phong pointed out that Vietnam and Belgium boaststrengths and potential to step up collaboration, particularly in the Europeannation’s spearhead industrial sectors, as well as in services, logistics, cleanenergy, renewable energy, education-training, and science-technology.  

Leaders of the Belgian Senate and the Vietnamese NAwill use the occasion to seek measures to strengthen the relations between thetwo countries, covering their legislative ties, he said, adding that D'Hose isscheduled to hold talks with NA Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue, pay a call to State President Vo Van Thuong, meet with Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, have aworking session with Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son, and visit somelocalities and joint projects of the two countries.

Phong said Belgium has remained a big developmentpartner of Vietnam over the past years, elaborating that the country hasprovided Vietnam with about 300 million USD, mainly from 1993, whichhas significantly helped the Southeast Asian nation in socio-economicdevelopment.

Apart from coordination at multinational forums, includingthose of the UN, the two countries have paid due attention to economic andtrade collaboration, the legislator went on.

Vietnam hopes the Belgian Senate will quicklyratify the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA), helping ensurethe interests and access of residents and businesses, especially investors, ofboth sides, Phong said.

He also called on Belgium to support the European Commissionto soon lift its “yellow card” warning on Vietnamese seafood with Vietnam’sreality and commitments to sustainable development put into consideration. /.