Belgian press spotlights Vietnam-EU ties, PM’s trip to EU

The Vietnam-EU relations and Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh’s trip to the EU from December 13-15 has been in the limelight of the Belgian media in recent days.
Belgian press spotlights Vietnam-EU ties, PM’s trip to EU ảnh 1Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (left) and his Belgian counterpart Alexander De Croo. (Photo: VNA)
Brussels (VNA) – The Vietnam-EU relations and PrimeMinister Pham Minh Chinh’s trip to the EU from December 13-15 has been inthe limelight of the Belgian media in recent days.

In an article titled ‘Strengthening relationships with ASEANcountries: an EU strategic priority’, the EU Today wrote that among ASEAN countries,Vietnam would be a key priority, promoting economic and trade relations betweenASEAN and the EU.

It quoted Senator Andries Gryffroy, Permanent Vice Presidentof the Belgian Senate, as saying Vietnam has an important geostrategic positionin the Indo-Pacific.

“Vietnam's economy is currently an important link in thesupply chain and economic value of the ASEAN with many advantages such as: astable macro environment, a dynamic economy, an increasingly open consumermarket, a stable political background, consistent in economic development andforeign investment policy,” said Gryffroy.

According to data from the European Institute for AsianStudies (EIAS), the EU is Vietnam's leading trading partner and both the thirdlargest export market and the fifth largest import market of Vietnam. The totalbilateral import-export turnover between Vietnam and the EU reached 57.11billion EUR in the first nine months of 2022, up 10.3% over the same period in2021. The EU is currently the 5th largest foreign investor in Vietnam with atotal registered capital of 27.6 billion USD (accumulated until August 2022).

The article also cited opinion from the Flanders Chamber ofCommerce and Investment, which assessed that in addition to the role of abridge between the two blocs' markets, the Vietnamese market has a youngpopulation and is an attractive destination for leading European investors,especially in sectors such as clean technology, food, beverage and logistics.

The Brussels Times wrote in its December 12 article, titled ‘Vietnam– A sustained development partner and destination of foreign investment for EUin Southeast Asia’, that EU regional partners, such as Vietnam have greatpotential to promote stronger and more effective cooperative relations for thebenefit of their respective regions and citizens.

The relationship between Vietnam and the EU is currentlyconsidered to be at its prime in history, it wrote. Currently, Vietnam and theEU have close ties with many cooperative frameworks, such as the EU – VietnamFree Trade Agreement (EVFTA), which took effect on August 1, 2020.

The Belgian press stated that the official visit to the country by Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh from December 13-15 willcertainly be a new milestone and an impetus for the promotion of bilateralrelations to new heights.

They said within the framework of the EU-ASEAN CommemorativeSummit, the Vietnamese delegation led by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh wouldcommit to Vietnam's orientation on renewable energy development, green andsustainable growth, digital transformation, and innovation. These commitmentshad been announced by the PM at the 26th United Nations Climate ChangeConference of the Parties (COP26) held in Glasgow last year and are in linewith Belgium's priorities as well as the EU Agenda.

The newspapers concluded that PM Chinh's visit is anopportunity for Belgium and EU countries to further promote cooperation invarious fields, for the benefit of the people and for the common interests ofmankind./.
VNA

See more

Illustrative image (Photo: Internet)

Lao, Cambodian Parties vow to tighten ties

The 15th high-level meeting between the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party (LPRP) and the Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) took place in Vientiane, Laos on February 7.

Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Prime Minister of Thailand Paetongtarn Shinawatra, who is on an official visit to China, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on February 6, 2025. (Photo: Xinhua)

Thailand, China strengthen bilateral ties

Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn affirmed Thailand's commitment to deepening law enforcement cooperation with China and its neighbouring countries, pledging strong and decisive actions to combat cross-border crimes, including online gambling and telecom fraud.

Cambodian Senate President Samdech Techo Hun Sen begins visit to Laos. (Photo: cpp.org.kh)

Lao, Cambodian legislative bodies enhance collaboration

The two sides appreciated the strong and close collaboration between Laos and Cambodia as well as their legislative bodies, reflected through the implementation of the contents of the Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation between the two legislatures, such as all-level delegation exchanges, and experience sharing.

Chinese President Xi Jinping (right) and Brunei's Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu'izzaddin Waddaulah at their meeting in Beijing, China, on February 6, 2025. (Photo: Xinhua/VNA)

Brunei, China step up cooperation across multiple fields

Xi Jinping said China is ready to strengthen strategic connectivity with Brunei, encourage more Chinese enterprises to invest and start business in the country, and support Brunei in diversifying its economy and developing its digital economy, artificial intelligence, and new energy industries.

An office worker in Bangkok points to the Fineasy app on her Oppo smartphone. (Photo: bangkokpost.com)

Illegal mobile loan apps found in Thailand

The Bank of Thailand initially reported 10 verified illegal apps offering personal loans, including Fineasy and Happy Loan, to the Personal Data Protection Committee (PDPC) under the Digital Economy and Society (DES) Ministry.

A screenshot of the talk show (Photo: VNA)

Cambodian TV channel spotlights Vietnamese Party chief’s article

In a 10-minute talk show, Cambodian journalist Khieu Kolar analysed Vietnam's strategic orientations, especially the continued Party building and redtification, the streamlining of the political system, and the promotion of science and technology application and digital transformation in Party building.