Quang spoke highly ofRoccas’ contributions to fostering the Vietnam-Belgium cooperation and mutualunderstanding, particularly in events celebrating the 45th anniversary of the bilateraldiplomatic relations earlier this year.
Vietnam attaches greatimportance to deepening its friendship with Belgium, President Quang said,adding that the two nations are now significant economic partners with bilateraltrade relatively higher than that between Vietnam and any other Europeancountry.
Educationalcooperation is one of the highlights of bilateral ties in politics, culture,and education which have made decent progress at all levels over the years,helping the two countries to promote the image of each other among theirpeople, he said.
To further bolsterrelations in the time ahead, President Quang urged Belgium to push for thesigning of the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) which is scheduled totake place in Brussels this October. In addition, he suggested both sides tosoon conclude a new framework for expanded cooperation in agriculture in aneffort to ensure food security and adaption to climate change.
He also lauded theeffective coordination between Vietnam and Belgium at international andmultilateral forums, such as the United Nations, the International Organisationof La Francophonie, the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM), and ASEAN. He moved on towish Belgium success in its hosting of the 12th ASEM Summit in October thisyear.
Ambassador Roccas, forher part, highlighted the positive results in the Vietnam-Belgium partnershipin politics, economics, and development cooperation.
She said her countrywill continue supporting Vietnam in the coming time and that Belgium, alongwith some other European nations, are looking to set up a university in Vietnam.According to the Belgian diplomat, the Free University of Brussels has offeredin-country postgraduate courses in Vietnam over the last 23 years, with morethan 2,200 graduates, many of whom now hold senior positions at localgovernmental bodies.
Belgium treasures itsties with Vietnam, backing Vietnam in strengthening relations with the EU andthe early signing of the EVFTA, she stressed. It also supports Vietnam’scandidacy for a non-permanent seat in the United Nations Security Council andis ready to share with Vietnam experience in UN peacekeeping operations.–VNA