Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung left Hanoi on October 12 to begin his European tour that includes official visits to Belgium, the European Union (EU) and Germany; the attendance at the 10th Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM 10) in Italy; and a visit to the Vatican.

The PM’s October 12-18 events are made at the invitation of Belgian Prime Minister Elio Di Rupo, European Commission (EC) President Manuel Barroso, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, and Pope Francis.

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung is accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh; Minister and Head of the Office of the Government Nguyen Van Nen; Minister of Industry and Trade Vu Huy Hoang; Minister of Information and Communication Nguyen Bac Son; among others.-VNA