Vietnam - Belgium ties turn into effective economic partnership: Friendship association leader
Over the last 50 years, relations between Vietnam and Belgium have developed from pure humanitarian cooperation into an increasingly effective economic partnership, said President of the Belgium - Vietnam Friendship Association (ABV) Pierre Gréga.
President of the Belgium - Vietnam Friendship Association (ABV) Pierre Gréga in an interview granted to the Vietnam News Agency (Photo: VNA)
Brussels (VNA) – Over the last 50 years, relationsbetween Vietnam and Belgium have developed from pure humanitarian cooperation intoan increasingly effective economic partnership, said President of the Belgium -Vietnam Friendship Association (ABV) Pierre Gréga.
Bilateral cooperation has been developing diversely, witheconomic and trade ties covering a large proportion aside from political,cultural, scientific, and training connections, he told the Vietnam News Agencyon the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the countries’ diplomaticrelationship (March 22).
Cooperation has been promoted at both the governmental andlocal levels, he noted, elaborating that the Flanders and Wallonia regionsalong with the French-speaking community of Belgium have been implementing manyprojects assisting Vietnam.
The twosides also boast much potential for tourism and healthcare cooperation, Gréga went on.
With regardto politics, he touched upon the collaboration in settling war consequences inVietnam, including the Agent Orange (AO) issue.
In theirrecent visit to Vietnam, an ABV delegation had a working session with theVietnam Peace Committee and the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations (VUFO)and affirmed that many projects will be carried out, especially those assistingAO/dioxin victims.
The ABV pledges to support TranTo Nga, who is struggling against chemicals companies of the US to seek justice forAO/dioxin victims in Vietnam, he said, adding that the association is liaisingwith a company in Belgium to implement a dioxin detoxification project in Dong Naiprovince.
Describing economic cooperation potential as huge, Gréga saidthat at a workshop held at the Hanoi-based Foreign Trade University on February23, a brewery in Hainaut province of Belgium managed to connectwith a Vietnamese firm to form partnership.
Besides,Namur city, home to a number of unique festivals, is also continuing to bolsterties with Hue, its twin city in Vietnam, according to the ABV President.
He also expressed his intention to connect friendshipassociations in European countries such as France, Germany, Switzerland, theUK, Spain, and Hungary with Vietnam to increase exchanges within both bilateraland multilateral frameworks.
The ABVwill join the Vietnam - Belgium Friendship Association in further stepping uppeople-to-people exchanges and assisting each other to fulfill their role inhelping foster bilateral cooperation, Grégaadded./.
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President of the Belgium - Vietnam Friendship Association (ABV) Pierre Gréga in an interview granted to the Vietnam News Agency (Photo: VNA) 
