Vietnam wishes to accelerate political and diplomatic ties with Belgium as a foundation for bilateral economic-trade-investment cooperation, said Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung while receiving Belgian Deputy Prime Minister Johan Vande Lanotte in Hanoi on January 20.

PM Dung hailed this year as a key milestone in Vietnam – Belgium relations as it marks the 40 th anniversary of their diplomatic ties.

He vowed to offer all possible support to Belgian investors in Vietnam in order to facilitate two-way trade.

The Government of Vietnam has been working to better manage and effectively use official development assistance (ODA) funded by Belgium, the host said, adding that he hopes for its continued support in the future.

The Cabinet leader also suggested the Belgian side push up negotiations on the Vietnam – European Union (EU) free trade agreement and recognise Vietnam as a market economy soon.

Lanotte made it clear that Belgium wants to tighten goodwill with Vietnam, particularly in trade and investment. Belgian investors are keen to expand investment in Vietnam, especially in Dinh Vu industrial park in the northern port city of Hai Phong.

He said Belgium is ready to provide Vietnam with a springboard for European markets and foster joint work in high technology, cosmology, satellites and ODA.

The guest said Belgium is urging the EU to conclude the a free trade agreement negotiations for signing it with the country as soon as possible, which he said will pave the way for development opportunities, especially in logistics which is a strength of the European nation.

Earlier, Deputy Prime Minister Hoang Trung Hai and his Belgian counterpart Lanotte witnessed the signing of the bidding contract No. 1, part of the VN Red Sat 1B satellite project.-VNA