Vietnam’s relations with Belgium, EU now at their prime: ambassador
Ambassador Nguyen Van Thao affirmed that the country’s relations with Belgium and the EU are now at their prime while addressing a banquet held on September 19 in celebration of Vietnam’s 77th National Day (September 2).
Vietnamese Ambassador to Belgium and Luxembourg Nguyen Van Thao, who is also head of Vietnam's Delegation to the EU, addresses the event on September 19. (Photo: VNA)
Brussels (VNA) – Ambassador Nguyen Van Thao affirmed that the country’s relations with Belgium and the EU are now at their prime while addressing a banquet held on September 19 in celebration of Vietnam’s 77th National Day (September 2).
In his remarks, the Vietnamese Ambassador to Belgium and Luxembourg reviewed the historic milestones since then President Ho Chi Minh read the Independence Declaration that founded the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, now the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, on September 2, 1945.
He took the occasion to thank Belgian and EU leaders for supporting the Southeast Asian nation in the fight against COVID-19 to maintain political and social stability and growth momentum.
Belgium is a strategic partner of Vietnam in agriculture. Bilateral trade hit a record of 3.6 billion EUR (3.5 billion USD) in 2021 and 2.5 billion EUR in the first five months of 2022, up almost 26% year-on-year.
Thao expressed his hope that Vietnam, Belgium and the EU will continue enhancing partnerships in multiple areas.
Offering congratulations on Vietnam’s 77th National Day, Jeroen Cooreman, Director-General for Bilateral Affairs at the Belgian Federal Public Service Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation, highlighted the thriving economic links over the past years.
EU initiatives such as the Indo-Pacific and Global Gateway strategies show that the bloc attaches importance to relations with Vietnam and other members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), he said, adding he believes that with the experience his country has shared, Vietnam could become a major logistics centre in Southeast Asia.
EU Commissioner for Agriculture Janusz Wojciechowski said the EU highly values Vietnam’s role and potential and wishes to strengthen cooperation in building a sustainable agricultural product supply chain.
The EU will further encourage EU enterprises to invest in Vietnam, especially in agriculture, he noted.
Andries Gryffroy, First Vice President of the Belgian Senate and Chairman of the Belgian - Vietnamese Alliance, spoke highly of Vietnam’s development achievements since the Doi moi (Renewal) period started in 1986, and noted the country has become an emerging dynamic economy in the region./.
A workshop themed “Vietnam as your Green business opportunities destination” was held by the Belgian Vietnamese Alliance (BVA) and the Flanders International Technical Agency (FITA) in Brussels on June 22 to introduce Vietnam’s potential in renewable energy and sustainable port development.
A forum to promote trade cooperation between Vietnam and Belgium took place in Brussels on June 28, as one of the main economic events between the two countries held after a long hiatus due to the COVID-19 epidemic.
A delegation of the Vietnam - Belgium Parliamentary Friendship Group is paying a four-day working visit to the European country during which the two sides will share lawmaking experience and discuss scientists’ role in legislative activities.
Tran Tuan Anh, Politburo member and head of the Party Central Committee’s Economic Commission, led a Party delegation to visit Belgium and the European Union (EU) from August 16-19.
Vietnamese Ambassador to Belgium Nguyen Van Thao appreciated the cooperation between Vietnam and the French Community of Belgium (Federation Wallonie-Bruxelles) as well as effective collaboration within the framework of the Francophonie community at a meeting with Prime Minister of the community Pierre-Yves Jeholet on September 16.
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 and Luxembourg Nguyen Van Thao, who is also head of Vietnam's Delegation to the EU, addresses the event on September 19. (Photo: VNA) 
