Vietnam, Belgium boost co-operation through parliamentary diplomacy
A recent Vietnam visit by a Belgian delegation, led by Senate President Christine Defraigne, has helped deepen ties between the two nations and people.
National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung welcomes Belgian Senate President Christine Defraigne. (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA)-🌃A recent Vietnam visit by a Belgian delegation, led by Senate President Christine Defraigne, has helped deepen ties between the two nations and people.
At the invitation of National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung, the eight-day visit, which ended on November 8, was an opportunity for the legislative bodies to exchange experiences and forge future co-operation. Belgium attaches significance to parliamentary diplomacy that fosters commercial, cultural and educational engagement with Vietnam.
Highlights of Defraigne’s overseas working trip were her meetings with National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung, Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh, Minister of Planning and Investment Bui Quang Vinh, and Minister of Education and Training Pham Vu Luan.
Through discussions, both sides agreed to reinforce legislative relations based on increasing liaison and delegation exchanges. They would co-ordinate the implementation of inked projects and strengthen their co-operation in prioritised spheres such as logistics, high-tech, green growth and vocational training.
The Belgian delegation also observed the 10th session of the 13th National Assembly, and held talks with authorities in Ho Chi Minh City, Quang Ninh, Hai Phong and Ba Ria-Vung Tau.
Belgium is Vietnam’s sixth largest trading partner in the EU, with bilateral trade experiencing year-on-year growth of 27.4 percent to reach 2.3 billion USD in 2014.-VNA
The Vietnamese and Belgian legislative bodies will maintain delegation exchange and experience sharing, and work together to inspect the implementation of agreements reached by the two Governments.
Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has suggested Vietnam and Belgium develop new cooperation programmes to actualise efficiently reached cooperation agreements.
Vietnam and Belgium have agreed to foster links between their business communities towards greater affiliation, including in the form of public-private partnership (PPP) .
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh had a meeting in Hanoi on November 4 with President of the Belgian Senate Christine Defraigne, who is on an official visit to Vietnam.
Belgium pledges to increase assistance projects for Vietnam and Ho Chi Minh City, in particular in health care, human resources training, and waste treatment.
The Party and State of Vietnam always attach great importance to and give top priority to the development of Vietnam–China relations. Vietnam is ready to work with the Chinese Party and State to further deepen the Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership and promote the building of the Vietnam-China community with a shared future that carries strategic significance.
Under the leadership of President Ho Chi Minh and the CPV, President Cuong said, the press has been a steadfast force on the ideological and cultural front, rallying the masses to pursue national aspirations.
NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man stressed the need to accelerate the application of artificial intelligence and smart teaching equipment, innovate teaching and assessment methods, and further improve the quality of formal education.
He also pledged that the NA will promote its ongoing supervision, making sure that every promise must lead to results, and every commitment must bring about real changes.
Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien welcomed the proposals put forward by the US side and reiterated Vietnam’s request for consideration of key areas of interest, including reciprocal tariff policies and access for Vietnamese key export products to the US market.
Deputy PM Le Thanh Long proposed countries promote shared values, including building trust, sincerity, and solidarity among nations and peoples; fostering cooperation spirit and responsible behaviour as well as upholding international law and the UN Charter; and placing people at the centre and as the goal, the key player, and the driving force of all policies.
The show, together with a grand parade to be held silmutaneously at Ba Dinh Square in Hanoi, will celebrate the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution, the National Day, and the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army (VPA).
In particular, in April 2023, the two sides successfully carried out a joint operation that dismantled a major organised, transnational drug trafficking ring involving both Vietnamese and Cambodian suspects.
The Vietnamese Embassy in Israel is closely coordinating with relevant local agencies to stay informed and provide the utmost support possible for Vietnamese nationals.
The launch of Thanh Nien (Young People) newspaper in 1925, even before the founding of the Communist Party of Vietnam, is considered a testament to President Ho Chi Minh’s strategic foresight and strong belief in the guiding power of the revolutionary media.
New Zealand is currently one of Vietnam’s most important partners in the region, marked by a high level of political trust, strong and reliable defence and security cooperation, and increasingly open economic, trade, and investment ties.
Party General Secretary To Lam stressed that the Central Public Security Party Committee must be fully aware of the extremely important role of the People's Public Security force in the country's new revolutionary phase, so as to guide each branch and level of the force as the nation undergoes transformation.
Addressing concerns over university education spending, Son explained that as public universities gain greater autonomy, the Ministry of Finance has scaled back recurrent state funding. “Over the past decade, as autonomy has increased, the State's support has steadily declined”, he noted
Lao Minister of Foreign Affairs Thongsavanh Phomvihane affirmed that the presence of Vietnamese press offices in Laos vividly demonstrates the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between the two nations, as the press is not only a means of communication but also an important bridge for spreading consciousness about the history, values, and strategic depth of the Laos – Vietnam relationship to the people of both countries and the international community.
The country is willing to participate in collective efforts to promote cooperation and mobilise resources to advance the current priority issues of developing countries, such as trade, investment, infrastructure connectivity, making the most of scientific and technological advances for development, and people-to-people exchanges, Hang said.
During the negotiations, the US highly evaluated Vietnam’s goodwill and efforts, affirmed its appreciation for the bilateral relationship, acknowledged Vietnam’s proposals and concerns, and considered these an important basis for continuing discussions and moving towards a final agreement.
The Chairman stressed the need for stricter fiscal discipline, faster digital transformation, and more efficient management of State budget revenues and expenditures.
National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung welcomes Belgian Senate President Christine Defraigne. (Photo: VNA)
