Brussels(VNA) – Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc had a meeting on October 18 with StevenVanackere, former Belgian Foreign Minister and head of a group ofparliamentarians from the Flemish Christian Democratic Party, who has madegreat contributions to the growth of the Vietnam-Belgium relationship.

PM Phuc, who is on anofficial visit to Belgium, told Vanackere that Vietnam and Belgium have agreedon a number of measures to strengthen their cooperation in the future,including the hastening of the signing of a free trade agreement betweenVietnam and the EU.

Noting that theformer Belgian minister has rich experience in the field, the PM expressed hishope to receive support and cooperation from Vanackere.

For his part,Vanackere affirmed that he is willing to assist Vietnam, adding that as acountry with certain influences in the EU, Belgium has a strong voice regardingthe signing of the deal.

The former officialasserted that Vietnam and Belgium boast great potential to further promotetheir partnership. He said Belgian enterprises are strong in seaports andlogistics, which makes them suitable partners to Vietnam.

At the same time,Vietnam has recorded various progresses in sustainable growth, while Belgiumhas many large firms in science and technology, and as such the two sides shouldsupplement each other in this field.

Belgium hopes to receivemore Vietnamese students, he added.

Vanackere held that theEuropean Council (EC)’s approval of the free trade agreement with Vietnam showsthe union’s goodwill and aspiration to promote the deal, underscoring that thetwo sides should maintain a regular exchange of information. Vietnam shouldprovide further information on its achievements and efforts in socio-economicdevelopment, with its open and reforming government, he said.

PM Phuc agreed withVanackere on the substantial cooperation potential between the two sides,including in Vietnam’s strengths of processing industry and agriculture.

The Government leaderdeclared that Vietnam is ready to import some of Belgian’s strongest products.

Vietnam currently has250 postgraduates studying in Belgium, he noted, holding that the figure willcontinue to rise, contributing to enhancing the human resource quality ofVietnam.

He told the former Belgian FM that during his visit, businesses of the two countries have signedmany investment cooperation deals, while heads of major regions and enterprisesof Belgium also showed their hope to foster affiliation with Vietnam on awin-win basis.

Stating that the EC’sapproval of the EU-Vietnam free trade agreement is good news and will benefitboth sides, he stressed Vietnam’s standpoint of actively integrating into theworld and exerting more efforts in the field.–VNA