Vietnam fosters cooperation with Belgium, says PM
VOV.VN - Vietnam considers Belgium an important partner in the European Union and it wants to further strengthen cooperative relations with the EU member state, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh told his Belgian counterpart Alexander De Croo.
Meeting in Davos, Switzerland, on the sidelines of the 54th annual meeting of the World Economic Forum, the two PMs noted with satisfaction the positive development of Vietnam – Belgium relations in recent times.
The two sides agreed to increase the exchange of delegations at all levels, promote cooperation between their businesses and localities, and effectively deploy available bilateral cooperation mechanisms. They stressed the need to fully and effectively implement the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) to bring about greater benefits for the two sides.
PM Chinh proposed that Belgium soon ratify the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA); enhance cooperation in the fields of digital transformation, renewable energy, green transformation, and circular economy; and increase cultural exchanges closely linked to tourism.
With regard to the Vietnam – Belgium Strategic Partnership in Agriculture, Chinh asked Belgium to support the development of circular agricultural economic models and smart agriculture.
PM Alexander De Croo for his part affirmed that the EVFTA is an important driving force in promoting economic and trade relations between the two sides. He shared Chinh’s proposals and said Belgium would promote early ratification of the EVIPA.
The two sides agreed to coordinate closely and support each other at multilateral forums and international organizations, contributing to peace, security, cooperation and development in the region and the wider world.
Exchanging views on the East Sea issue, Chinh asked Belgium to support ASEAN’s stance that affirms the importance of ensuring peace, stability, security, safety and freedom of navigation and navigation in the East Sea, and peacefully resolving disputes in accordance with international law, especially the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
