Belgian officials willing to boost relations with Vietnam
In a meeting with
Chairwoman of the Belgian Senate Sabine De Bethune and Vice President of
the Chamber of Representatives Françoise Schepmans, PM Nguyen Tan Dung
stated that he highly valued the progress made in bilateral relations,
which the Belgian federal parliament greatly contributed to.
Both sides agreed to step up cooperation on all fronts, particularly on development cooperation, and trade and investment.
Considering
the Vietnamese leader’s visit a milestone in bilateral relations, the
two Belgian officials affirmed that the Belgian Senate and Chamber of
Representatives would actively support the expansion of their
affiliation.
At the meeting, both sides spoke highly of the
countries’ close cooperation at multilateral forums. They agreed to work
closer to boost Vietnam-European Union ties, ratify the Vietnam-EU
Partnership and Cooperation Agreement, recognise Vietnam’s full market
economy, and promptly conclude the negotiations on the Vietnam-EU Free
Trade Agreement.
On behalf of the National Assembly Chairman
Nguyen Sinh Hung, PM Nguyen Tan Dung invited the Belgian officials to
the 132 nd General Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU-132),
which is scheduled for next year in Hanoi.
In a meeting with the
Mayor of Brussels Yvan Mayeur, the Vietnamese leader said the capital
city, Belgium’s political, administrative, economic and cultural centre
and EU headquarters, played an active role in the intensification of
Vietnam’s ties with Belgium and the EU.
A number of activities have been implemented throughout the city to promote Vietnam’s image in Belgium and the EU member countries, he elaborated.
Mayor Yvan Mayeur said Brussels was keen to enhance Vietnam’s relations with the two European partners.
The
Vietnamese leader also met with Minister President of the French
Community of Belgium Rudy Demotte, and praised the cooperation programme
for 2013-2015 and the community’s objective to collaborate closely with
Vietnam, which is in line with Vietnam’s socio-economic development
needs.
They both spoke highly of the increasing ties between
Vietnam and the French community, as demonstrated by the mutual
assistance provided as part of the framework of the International
Organisation of La Francophonie.
Rudy Demotte said the community
attached great importance to its relations with Vietnam and hoped for
more cooperation projects, adding that the community would continue to
support the Vietnamese-Belgian ties.
In a separate meeting with
Jean-Charles Luperto, the President of the Parliament of the French
Community of Belgium, PM Nguyen Tan Dung thanked the parliament for its
contributions to the Vietnamese-Belgian relationship and asked for
further support to enhance the relationship between the two countries.
For
his part, Charles Luperto highlighted the progress made in the
relations between Vietnam and the French community, suggesting both
sides expand their cooperation on tertiary education and vocational
training, culture and the teaching of French.
PM Nguyen Tan Dung concluded his visit to Belgium on October 14 and travelled to Germany for an official visit.-VNA