Vietnam eager to cooperate with Belgian regions
(VOV) - Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong has said Vietnam wants to encourage cooperation between its localities and the various Belgian regions and communities.
Trong made the affirmation during working sessions with leaders from the Wallonie and Flanders regions on January 19.
Wallonie Minister-President Rudy Demotte and Flanders Minister-President Kris Peeters confirmed local authorities are interested in fostering opportunities for Belgian businesses and organisations to invest in Vietnam.
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Wallonie and Flanders have both already established cooperation with Vietnam in many fields. Over the 2010–2012 period, Wallonie worked with Vietnam on tertiary education, development research, heritage, and vocational training—especially in tourism. Positive results include the training of family doctors, interpreters, and translators, as well as strengthening the capacity of Radio the Voice of Vietnam (VOV).
Wallonie plans on extending cooperation with Vietnam during 2013–2015, focusing on sustainable development, capacity building, gender equality, advanced technology, and information and communications.
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Flanders plays an important role in the import-export relationship between Vietnam and Belgium. As much as 84 percent of Belgian exports to Vietnam originate from the region. Both sides have actively cooperated on training and education.
Addressing the meetings, the Party leader expressed delight at the fine development of Vietnamese-Belgian relations at both federal and regional levels, including Wallonine and Flanders.
Trong noted his talks with Belgian Prime Minister Elio Di Rupo, saying both countries see expanding regional links as an important element of their comprehensive partnership, especially as the 40th anniversary of diplomatic ties draws near.
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The Party leader asked the relevant Belgian and Vietnamese agencies to broaden their exchanges, and encourage business investment in ways that capitalise on each country’s singular advantages.
Vietnam’s relevant ministries, agencies, and localities are willing to coordinate on organising a Belgian business delegation tour in the interests of promoting the country’s various opportunities for investment.
During the meetings, Trong witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on cooperation between Vietnam and the Flanders region.
The same day, Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc conferred the Friendship Order on Belgian Chamber of Representatives President Andre Flahaut. Vietnamese Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh also presented the Friendship Medal to Anvers’ Honorary Vietnam Consul Baron Jo de Grand Ry.