Vietnam – EU parliamentary friendship marks in Belgium
European officials and international friends gathered in Brussels on November 29 to mark the second anniversary of the Vietnam – EU parliamentary friendship group in the European Parliament (EP) (November 11).
Vietnamese Ambassador to Belgium Vuong Thua Phong (left) and President of the parliamentary friendship group, Jan Zahradil (Source: VNA)
Brussels (VNA) – European officials and international friends gathered in Brussels,Belgium on November 29 to mark the second anniversary of the Vietnam – EUparliamentary friendship group in the European Parliament (EP) (November 11).
The event wasorganised by the Embassy of Vietnam in Belgium and Vietnam’s Mission to the EU.
Addressing theceremony, Vietnamese Ambassador to Belgium and Head of the VietnamMission to the EU Vuong Thua Phong lauded the contributions made bythe EP to promoting Vietnam – EU relations.
Phong highlightedsignificant achievements in the past two years, including the conclusion of negotiations for the EU -Vietnam free trade agreement (EVFTA) in December 2015, and theEU-Vietnam Framework Agreement on Comprehensive Partnership andCooperation becoming effective in October 2016.
Vietnam supportsEU efforts to expand cooperation in Asia – Pacific, Phong said, expressing hishope that the two sides will accelerate the ratification of the EVFTA.
For his part, presidentof the parliamentary friendship group, Jan Zahradil detailed the group’soperations over the past two years.
The most importanttask is to push ratification of the EVFTA, he said, adding that final legaldocuments are under review.
As part of itsefforts to push ratification of the EVFTA, the group President is scheduled tovisit Vietnam from December 3-5. A delegation from the group will also tourVietnam next year to strengthen parliamentary cooperation between the twonations.
The Vietnam – EUparliamentary friendship group gathers nearly 40 parliamentarians in differentparties in the EP, with the aim of boosting Vietnam – EU relations.-VNA
The European Parliament’s Committee on International Trade and the Vietnamese Government have agreed to make concerted efforts for the ratification of the EU-Vietnam FTA in the next eight or nine months.
The National Assembly of Vietnam and the European Parliament have attained high mutual trust through meetings, delegation exchange and straightforward dialogues, NA Vice Chairman Phung Quoc Hien said.
Vietnamese Trade Counsellor in Russia Duong Hoang Minh highlighted positive outcomes in the one-year implementation of the free trade agreement between Vietnam and the EAEU.
Vietnam hasn’t had any free trade agreements (FTAs) with EU member countries, but with the importance of Vietnam-EU relations, a bilateral new-generation FTA is critical to promoting their economic ties.
The EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) needs to balance both sides’ interests and respects the articles that they have agreed on, Deputy Prime Minister Vuong Dinh Hue told Ambassador Bruno Angelet, head of the EU Delegation to Vietnam.
Vietnam always values boosting the traditional friendly ties with countries in Central Eastern Europe, with Poland as a priority partner, President Tran Dai Quang told President of Poland Andrzej Duda
Vietnam is deeply concerned about the escalating and complex conflict in the Middle East, which poses a serious threat to the lives and safety of civilians, as well as to regional and global peace and stability.
The Vietnamese Embassy advises the Vietnamese community living, studying, and working in Israel to strictly comply with directions from the Home Front Command and local authorities.
Lawmakers are set to vote on revisions and amendments to a broad spectrum of legal frameworks and impactful resolutions during the final week of the 15th NA's 9th session.
The State Committee for Overseas Vietnamese Affairs (SCOVA) has served as a bridge connecting and uniting the community with the homeland, becoming a trusted source of support for Vietnamese expats in times of hardship.
The programme to eliminate temporary and dilapidated houses has achieved notable results, with nearly 263,000 housing units addressed to date, including 225,000 houses inaugurated and 38,000 under construction. Thirty-eight provinces and cities across the nation have already fulfilled their targets.
Stronger efforts and determination are required to achieve and surpass the set targets, especially in the eradication of makeshift and dilapidated houses nationwide, the acceleration of public investment disbursement, and the implementation of nationally important transport projects, PM Pham Minh Chinh noted.
The trip will be made at the invitations of Chinese Premier Li Qiang and WEF President and CEO Børge Brende, according to an announcement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Long spoke highly of the dynamic, positive, and comprehensive development of Vietnam – Russia relations in recent years. He affirmed that the Vietnamese Party and State place great importance on further strengthening the comprehensive strategic partnership with Russia in a substantive and effective manner, in line with the development needs of both nations.
At the conference, participants reported that the Government has so far issued 28 decrees on the delegation of responsibilities and powers between the central Government and two-tier local administrations. Several localities have already piloted the new governance model.
Reality is the ultimate benchmark for success, he said, urging drafting agencies to work out policies that foster development, reduce bureaucratic hurdles, and respect practical conditions.
Under the official dispatch signed on June 20, ministers, heads of ministerial-level agencies, and chairpersons of provincial and municipal People’s Committees are requested to concentrate efforts on implementing core measures to ensure the smooth operations of the new administrative framework.
The Party chief underscored the need for the press to innovate relentlessly, evolve to keep pace with the country's development, transform into a truly professional, humanistic, and modern sector that serves the cause of the Party, the State, and the people on the path to national construction and development.
The UN Secretary-General praised Vietnam’s remarkable achievements in socio-economic development and international integration in recent years, noting that the country has emerged as a model in implementing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), promoting international peace and security, and engaging in key UN processes.
Nghia affirmed that this is a milestone of special significance, affirming and honouring the the Vietnamese revolutionary press’s glorious tradition of 100 years of serving the revolutionary cause of the Party, serving the Fatherland, and serving the people.
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.
Vietnamese Ambassador to Belgium Vuong Thua Phong (left) and President of the parliamentary friendship group, Jan Zahradil (Source: VNA) 
