
Hanoi (VNA) - Permanent Deputy Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son received Minister-Presidentof Belgium’s Flanders region Geert Bourgeois in Hanoi on May 14.
At the reception, the two sides expressed their delight at the comprehensiveand practical developments of Vietnam-Belgium relationship since the twocountries set up diplomatic ties 45 years ago, especially cooperation between theirlocalities.
Son spoke highly of the collaboration between Vietnam and the Flanders region,with investment projects in infrastructure, energy and agriculture.
Welcoming the Flanders Minister-President’s visit to Vietnam from May 13-17,Son said that the two sides see many advantages to develop cooperation in thetime to come, especially in such priority areas as infrastructure, renewableenergy, agriculture, food industry, human resources training, digital economyand trade.
For his part, Geert Bourgeois appreciated Vietnam’s efforts in improvingbusiness and investment environment as well as its socio-economic development achievements,considering them important premises to boost win-win collaboration betweenVietnam and the Flanders region.
[Infographics: Enhancing multifaceted Vietnam - Belgium relations]
He affirmed that Flanders always regards Vietnam as a priority partner in the region,suggesting a number of fields that the two sides can join hands in the future,including port logistics, transport, farm produce processing and training.
The Minister-President affirmed his support for trade liberalisation and vowedto back Vietnam to strengthen its comprehensive relationship with the EU,particular the early signing and ratification of the EU-Vietnam Free TradeAgreement (EVFTA) in 2018.
The early implementation of the EVFTA will bring practical benefits tobusinesses of both sides, he noted.
At the meeting, the two sides agreed to soon sign a new cooperation document toreplace the old one, which was inked in 2013.-VNA