FM’s trip to promote Vietnam’s ties with EU, Belgium: Ambassador
Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son is in Brussels for the 24th ASEAN-EU Ministerial Meeting (AEMM) and the third EU-Indo-Pacific Ministerial Forum (EU-IPMF) as well as a visit to Belgium from January 30 to February 3.
Vietnamese Ambassdor to Belgium and head of the Vietnam Mission to the EU Nguyen Van Thao (Photo: VNA)
Brusels (VNA) – Minister of Foreign Affairs BuiThanh Son is in Brussels for the 24th ASEAN-EU Ministerial Meeting (AEMM) and the third EU-Indo-Pacific Ministerial Forum (EU-IPMF)as well as a visit to Belgium from January 30 to February 3.
Vietnamese Ambassdor to Belgium and head of theVietnam Mission to the EU Nguyen Van Thao said that the EU-IPMF gathers nearly70 delegations from EU member countries and more than 40 countries in theIndo-Pacific region, as well as representatives from a number of internationalorganisations.
The initiative was proposed by the EU in 2022, serving as animportant mechanism for the EU and the Indo-Pacific region to share theirevaluations on new developments and trends of the world, reviewing achievementsand sketching out new cooperation orientations and prospects to connect the tworegions, thus strengthening solidarity and coordination in dealing with common issuesof the globe, said Thao.
He said that at the forum, the Vietnamese FM will deliver aspeech on green transition, which is one of the promising and prioritised areain the Vietnam-EU partnership, as well as the inevitable trend of the worldeconomy, and the development direction of Vietnam.
Illustrative image (Source: VNA)
Vietnam, one of the countries that are hardest hit by climate change andenvironmental pollution, is in need of strong cooperation from the internationalcommunity, including the EU, to mitigate climate change, enhance adaptationcapacity and promote sustainable development, the diplomat underlined,stressing that this is an area of the EU’s strength. The EU has also showninterest in promoting strong collaboration with Vietnam to build a model new-style cooperation between the EU and the Indo-Pacific region in this important field,he added.
Meanwhile, the 24th AEMM, which is the first oneheld in-person after five years due to COVID-19 pandemic, is the continuation andpromotion of important results achieved in the recent high-level events, aimingto lift up ASEAN-EU relationship to a new height, making it more substaintial,effective and strategic.
Regarding the Vietnam-Belgium relations, Thao underscoredthat the ties have seen breakthrough growth over the years, especially afterPrime Minister Pham Minh Chinh’s official visit to the European country in December 2022. Thetwo sides have maintained regular high-level visits, he noted, adding that thisyear, the Belgian King will choose Vietnam for his only official visit outsidethe EU this year.
Together with the visits, bustling activities to promote economicconnectivity and bolster bilateral trade and investment cooperation over theyears have laid a firm foundation for the two sides to optimise theircooperation potential, the diplomat said.
He noted that Belgium is currently a strategic partner ofVietnam in agriculture, and a promising partner in many other fields such asinfrastructure development, seaport, hydrogen, health care andpharmacieuticals.
Belgium is playing the role of European Council President in the first half of 2024, enablingthe country to help Vietnam to promote ties with the EU, said Ambassador Thao.
In order to boost partnership between Vietnam and the EU,the diplomat proposed that Vietnam need to make comprehensive and systematic strategiesto promote bilateral trade and investment ties in the future, with the identification of prioritised cooperation areas and potential partners, whileincreasing in-depth trade and investment promotion activities in the EU todeepen mutual understanding and connect businesses of the two sides, andkeeping close contact to maintain collaboration momentum, held the diplomat./.
President of the Chamber of Representatives of Belgium Éliane Tillieux hosted a reception for Vietnamese Ambassador to Belgium Nguyen Van Thao and representatives from the Collectif Vietnam Dioxine Association and the Belgium-Vietnam Friendship Association (BVFA) in Brussels on November 7.
Permanent Vice Chairman of the Vietnamese National Assembly (NA) Tran Thanh Man held meetings and talks with leaders of the Parliament of Belgium and the European Parliament (EP) in Brussels on November 16.
Deputy Director of the Vietnam Trade Promotion Agency (Vietrade) under the Ministry of Industry and Trade Le Hoang Tai and Pascale Delcomminette, CEO of Belgium’s Wallonia Foreign Trade and Investment Agency (AWEX), on November 27 signed a letter of intent (LOI) to initiate cooperation in trade promotion between the two sides.
The Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) and relevant ministries and sectors of Vietnam are ready to work with the Belgian side to effectively support cooperation activities between the two countries’ enterprises, Minister Nguyen Hong Dien told a bilateral business forum in Brussels on December 1.
State President Luong Cuong’s trip once again reaffirmed the Party and State’s foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, diversification and multilateralisation of relations. It also reflected the strong trend of enhanced cooperation among countries of the Global South in shaping a new, more multipolar, fair and equitable world order.
The outcomes of Party General Secretary To Lam's visit will serve as a driving force and source of inspiration for the two countries to inherit, promote, and elevate their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, contributing to the national construction and development cause in each country, and to peace, cooperation, and development in the region and the world.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on August 9 inspected the construction site of the new Phong Chau bridge, and surveyed a planned route for the Lao Cai – Hanoi – Hai Phong railway section running through the northern province of Phu Tho.
Across print, broadcast, and online platforms, Angolan media portrayed State President Luong Cuong's visit as a warm and historic occasion, strengthening bilateral ties and boosting Vietnam’s presence in Africa through the AU.
The 500kV Lao Cai – Vinh Yen power transmission line has a total investment of over 7.41 trillion VND (282.5 million USD), and a total length of 229.5 km, passing through 31 communes in the two provinces, and comprising 468 transmission tower foundations.
The visits reflected the elevated position of Vietnam’s foreign policy in the new era—aimed at not only advancing ties with key regional partners like Egypt and Angola but also delivering a strategic message about Vietnam’s commitment to deepening relations with African nations as a whole.
At their talks and meetings, President Cuong and Angola’s top leaders affirmed that the close brotherhood and traditional friendship are a valuable shared asset and a solid foundation for the two nations to advance into a new phase of development.
The ruling People’s Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) attaches great importance to the friendship, solidarity, and comradeship with the Communist Party of Vietnam, and voiced her Party’s wish to further deepen and expand relations between the two sides for the benefit of the Vietnamese and Angolan people.
Vietnam pledges to do its utmost to build an ASEAN of solidarity, consensus, and unity in diversity, and to foster a fast and sustainable development path for ASEAN, grounded in science, technology, and innovation, said Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh.
Party General Secretary To Lam called on the criminal police force to accelerate the application of science, technology, artificial intelligence, and digital transformation in criminal investigation tasks such as crime prevention, detection, tracking and verification, ensuring that no area remains out of their reach.
Many Koreans living, studying, and working in Hanoi see the upcoming state visit to the Republic of Korea (RoK) by Party General Secretary To Lam as an opportunity to generate strong synergy in economic cooperation, people-to-people exchanges, and cultural understanding.
The achievements of the five decades of Vietnam–Angola cooperation provide a strong and enduring foundation, as well as momentum for the two sides to consolidate, expand, and bring their partnership into a new phase of development.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh stressed that the emulation and commendation work is a vital driver, fostering patriotism, dedication, and collective momentum in the run-up to the 11th National Patriotic Emulation Congress, Party congresses at all levels, and the 14th National Party Congress.
Emphasising the need for sustainable, long-term collaboration, National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man called on Japanese investors not only to bring in capital but also to share expertise and modern technology, especially in areas such as green transformation, the circular economy, and advanced corporate governance.
President Luong Cuong's activities during his state visit to Angola, the celebration of the financial sector's 80th traditional day, and the Foreign Ministry's flag-hoisting ceremony marking the 58th founding anniversary of ASEAN are among news highlights on August 8.
Vietnamese Ambassador to Thailand Pham Viet Hung praised the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ meaningful initiative, noting that the ASEAN Family Run was not only a sporting activity but also an opportunity for diplomats and their families to show unity, connection, and solidarity within the ASEAN family.
Politburo member, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on August 8 attended the first congress of the Party Organisation of Tay Ho ward of Hanoi for the 2025–2030 term, during which he called for fresh momentum to turn the ward into a model that takes the lead in all fields.
The size of the economy increased from over 5 billion USD in 1986 to over 476 billion USD by 2024, making Vietnam the fourth-largest economy in Southeast Asia and the 34th largest in the world.
The ASEAN flag-hoisting ceremony is observed by the 10 ASEAN member countries on August 8 every year, aiming to spread and promote the ASEAN identity and affirm the determination to unite and cooperate for the common aspiration of long-term peace and prosperity of Southeast Asian countries under the common roof of the ASEAN Community.
Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Nguyen Manh Cuong highlighted ASEAN’s nearly six decades of development, during which the region transformed from division to harmony, from confrontation to cooperation, and from poverty to dynamic growth, becoming a global bright spot for regional cooperation.
Vietnamese Ambassdor to Belgium and head of the Vietnam Mission to the EU Nguyen Van Thao (Photo: VNA) 
Illustrative image (Source: VNA) 
