Vietnam and Belgium have reviewed their all-round cooperation with satisfaction, agreeing that they will prioritise links in seaport, logistics, transport, green technology, hi-tech, aviation and outer space.

At the talks in Brussels on October 13, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung and his Belgian counterpart Charles Michel were committed to maintaining the Vietnam – Belgium Joint Committee on Economic Cooperation mechanism, saying that the body needs to set orientations for the post-2015 agenda soon.

Michel affirmed Belgium’s support to the signing of the European Union – Vietnam free trade agreement which, together with the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement signed in 2012, will lay the groundwork for joint work between EU member countries and Vietnam.

Politically, both host and guest pledged to facilitate high-level visits and mutual support at multilateral forums and international organisations, such as the United Nations, the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) and the Francophone.

They underscored the significance of the Vietnam – Belgium coordination via the ASEM which, they said, was a channel of dialogue between the two continents.

Switching their attention to cultural and education affairs, both PMs vowed to help universities and research institutes strengthen bonds that cover personnel training.

About security issues in the Asia-Pacific, the Belgian side affirmed its strong will to work closely with the region, on both bilateral and multilateral basis.

The two PMs concurred that peace, stability, security, safety, maritime and aviation freedom are crucial to the East Sea, and the disputes should be settled peacefully without the use of force or threat to use force, in line with international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea.

After the talks, they witnessed the signing of an agreement on the second small satellite for Vietnam’s natural resources and disaster management, and a memorandum of understanding on investing in an industrial zone in Hai Phong.-VNA