Mr Trong hailed fine developments in the multi-faceted relationship between the two countries, especially in politics, trade, culture and education.

He expressed thanks to the Belgian Government and people for their effective assistance to Vietnam, particularly when they selected Vietnam as the only country in Asia to be provided with its official development assistance (ODA).

Belgium has actively supported Vietnam at many multilateral forums, including its protest against anti-dumping tax on Vietnam’s leather-capped shoes into the EU market, the NA Chairman added.

He suggested the two sides increase the exchange of parliamentary delegations with the aim of strengthening mutual understanding and laying a foundation for the development of the mutually-beneficial cooperation between the two countries.

For his part, President Patrick Dawael emphasised the need to promote exchanges between the two legislative bodies and congratulated Vietnam on its impressive achievements during the renewal and integration process.

As an active advocator for Belgian investment in Vietnam, he said he was pleased with effective operations of Belgian businesses in the country.

In principle, Belgium will continue providing ODA for Vietnam as the country has met its priority criteria, he said, adding that the two sides have well cooperated in education and training and development research.

Both host and guest agreed that the two countries in general and the two parliaments in particular will coordinate more closely at multilateral forums, especially when Vietnam undertakes the ASEAN and AIPA Chair in 2010 and Belgium will be the EU Chair in the last six months of this year.
The two sides will strengthen cooperation and mutual assistance in order to boost the Vietnam-EU, Belgium-ASEAN and ASEAN-EU cooperation for peace, friendship, cooperation and development in each region and the world at large.

The Vietnamese and Belgian parliamentarians also exchanged views on issues of common concern such as the role and participation of Vietnamese women in politics, poverty reduction, reduction of death penalties as well as the promotion of the French language and culture.