Vietnam greatly values ties with Belgium

PM Chinh outlined his hopes that during his working tenure, the Belgian diplomat will make contributions to the growth of mutual ties, especially when both sides celebrate the 50th founding anniversary of diplomatic relations, as well as the fifth anniversary of bilateral strategic partnership in agriculture in 2023.

The PM therefore thanked the Government and people of Belgium for providing 100,000 doses of Astra Zeneca COVID-19 vaccine for the country during its battle against the pandemic, considering it to be a kind gesture in bilateral ties.

With regard to the positive development of the relationship across all fields and at all levels, despite the COVID-19 impact, the Vietnamese Government chief asked that two nations move to intensify the exchange of delegations at all levels, especially high-level ones. This should be done to seek specific measures to boost multifaceted co-operation.

PM Chinh showed his elation at growing two-way trade, noting that the figure hit US$3.3 billion during the first eight months of the year, with many Belgium businesses now successfully operating in Vietnam, especially in maritime transport, logistics, and renewable energy.

He went on to suggest that Belgium offer favourable conditions for Vietnamese farm produce to enter its market, expressing his hope that the business community of both sides will continue to co-operate closely and optimise all opportunities from the Vietnam-EU Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) to boost bilateral trade and investment ties.

He also urged Belgium to swiftly ratify the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) and urge the European Commission to remove the “yellow card” warning placed against Vietnamese seafood.

The two nations should continue to work alongside each other and offer mutual support at multilateral forums and organisations, especially the UN, the Asia- Europe Meeting, International Organization of La Francophonie (OIF), and the ASEAN-EU Summit. This should be done whilst co-ordinating in organising the ASEAN-EU Summit in mid-December in Belgium, he said.

In response, Ambassador Bossche underlined that the European country places great importance on its friendship and co-operation with Vietnam, hailing Vietnamese achievements in post-pandemic socio-economic recovery and development, as well as the country’s role and position in the region and the world.

The diplomat pledged his best efforts to further propel the partnership between the two nations moving forward in areas where Belgium has strength and Vietnam has demands, such as sustainable agriculture, digital economy, green growth, and energy transition.

He also vowed to co-ordinate with the Vietnamese side to organise celebrations for the 50th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic relations.

He emphasised that he will focus on bolstering bilateral economic, trade, and investment ties in an effort to bring more Belgian investors to Vietnam, adding that the two sides will work closely to hold the meetings of the Vietnam-Belgium Joint Committee and political consultation in mid-November. 

Regarding the East Sea issue, both sides have agreed on the importance of maintaining peace, stability, security, safety, and freedom of both navigation and aviation, as well as the peaceful settlement of disputes in line with international law, including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLSO).