Hanoi (VNA) - State President Luong Cuong and his spouse hosted a grand state banquet in honour of visiting Belgian King Philippe and Queen Mathilde in Hanoi on the evening of April 1.

Extending his warm welcome to the Belgian royal couple, President Cuong remarked that the frequent visits by the Belgian monarchs demonstrate the deep affection they hold for Vietnam.

The State leader expressed his hope that the visit will enable the King and Queen to witness Vietnam’s dynamic transformation and strong development, while creating an important momentum for the growth of the Vietnam-Belgium friendship in the years ahead.

ཧ Despite geographical distance, the two nations are bound by a strong friendship and substantive cooperation, he noted. The President reaffirmed Vietnam’s gratitude for Belgium’s invaluable support for the past struggle for national liberation and reunification, as well as the ongoing national development. He also highlighted Belgium’s pioneering role in passing a parliamentary resolution in support of Vietnamese victims of Agent Orange/dioxin, which has helped to raise international awareness of war consequences in Vietnam.

He said that in the past over five decades, Vietnam and Belgium have emerged as key partners across multiple fields, including politics, diplomacy, trade, investment, education, health care, environmental protection, and sustainable development. Both nations have also worked closely together at multilateral forums, particularly as members of the United Nations Human Rights Council for the 2023-2025 tenure, he said.

Noting the increasing presence of Belgian businesses in Vietnam, which has positioned Belgium as one of Vietnam’s significant economic partners within the EU, he expressed confidence that the upcoming ratification of the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) will create further opportunities for Belgian enterprises investing in Vietnam.

President Cuong underscored his strong belief in a bright future for bilateral relations, reinforced by the success of his meeting with King Philippe and the steadfast support of the Belgian royal family.

ꦏ He urged continued collaboration to ensure the Vietnam-Belgium partnership flourishes for the benefits of both nations as well as for regional and global peace and development.

For his part, King Philippe said he is delighted to return to Vietnam, and recalled his first visit in 1994 and subsequent trade missions to Vietnam, as well as Queen Mathilde’s 2022 visit to promote children's rights. The King highlighted that this state visit reaffirms Belgium’s deep respect for and friendship with the Vietnamese people.

Praising Vietnam’s remarkable economic achievements, King Philippe noted that the country’s market reforms, WTO accession, and trade expansion have contributed significantly to its prosperity. He commended the resilience of the Vietnamese people, which has propelled the nation’s impressive progress.

Reflecting on the shared values between the two countries, the King emphasised their mutual commitment to multilateralism, international law, and conflict prevention.

King Philippe also highlighted bilateral cooperation in tackling climate change, particularly in achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. He mentioned that his visit to the DEEP C eco-industrial zone will showcase Vietnam’s future in logistics, renewable energy, and waste reduction. Belgian companies are also investing in hydrogen energy, advanced medical treatment, insurance, steel, logistics, food, and offshore wind energy in Vietnam, he said.

Expressing solidarity with Vietnam’s war victims, the King voiced pride in Belgium’s support for dioxin decontamination projects and pledged continued assistance for Agent Orange/dioxin victims, as reflected in Belgium’s 2023 parliamentary resolution. During their visit to Ho Chi Minh City, the King and Queen will meet affected individuals and investors involved in further decontamination efforts to promote a healthier environment, he said.

🧸 King Philippe highlighted the enduring academic ties between Vietnam and Belgium, noting that hundreds of Vietnamese students study in Belgium annually. To date, more than 5,000 Vietnamese alumni of Belgian universities are making significant contributions in diverse fields./.