Prime Minister pays visit to Belgium amidst thriving bilateral ties
Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc’s upcoming official visit to Belgium takes place in the context of constant development of the relationship between Vietnam and the country in various realms and at different levels.
Hanoi (VNA) – Prime Minister Nguyen XuanPhuc’s upcoming official visit to Belgium takes place in the context ofconstant development of the relationship between Vietnam and the country invarious realms and at different levels.
This year marks the 45th anniversary ofthe establishment of the two countries’ diplomatic ties (March 22, 1973).
Belgium is Vietnam’s seventh biggest importer in theEuropean Union (EU), after Germany, the Netherlands, the UK, Italy, France,Spain and Austria. Though being only a small country, Belgium has served as animportant gateway for Vietnam’s commodities to access other Western Europeannations.
In 2017, Belgium had 62 investment projects withtotal capital of 595 million USD in Vietnam. Most projects are of small scale.
Meanwhile, Vietnam has invested in two projects inBrussels, including a 152,000 USD trade promotion centre in Brussels and the Europetrade and investment joint stock company worth 90,000 USD.
Since the two countries signed the FrameworkAgreement on Economic, Industrial and Technical Cooperation in 1977, Belgiumhas offered nearly 300 million USD in loans and non-refundable aid to Vietnam,with about 60 percent non-refundable aid.
Their cooperation programmes have mainly targetedwater resource management, waste treatment, State management, institutionalenhancement and administrative reform, education, agriculture and ruraldevelopment, and health care.
Belgium ended its non-refundable aid to Vietnam in July2018.
The Vietnam-Belgium Joint Committee on Scientificand Technical Cooperation meets every three years to review and set directionsfor cooperation programmes and projects between the two countries.
The two sides are teaming up in 18 research projectswith a total funding of 8 million USD in the form of cooperation betweenuniversities and research institutes, expert exchange and implementation ofjoint research programmes.
Each year, Belgium provides about 2 million EUR forVietnam’s education-training sector through cooperation programmes betweenuniversities and research institutes. Nearly 300 Vietnamese students arestudying and doing research in the country.
Besides, many joint projects on languages,scientific research capacity improvement and personnel training have also been launchedat local level.
PM Phuc’s Belgium visit is madeat the invitation of his Belgian counterpart Charles Michel. It is part of histrip to Europe from October 14-21 to attend the 12th ASEM Summit (ASEM 12) andthe Partnering for Green Growth and the Global Goals 2030 Summit (P4G) and payofficials visits to Austria, Belgium, Demark and a working visit to theEuropean Union (EU).-VNA
Vietnam- Belgium relations have flourished in many fields in recent years, notably economy. Among EU countries, Belgium is Vietnam’s biggest importer and 7th biggest exporter.
The Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisation (VUFO) has presented the “For Peace and Friendship Among Nations” insignia to Belgian Ambassador to Vietnam Jehanne Roccas in recognition of her contributions to enhancing the mutual understanding, friendship and cooperation between the two countries’ people.
Belgium was one of the first Western countries to set up diplomatic relations with Vietnam following the signing of the Paris Peace Accords. From then on, the bilateral relations have been strengthen.
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.
Source: crossed-flag-pins.com
