Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Vietnam and Brussels Capital Region of Belgium signed the Cooperation Program for the period 2025 - 2027

At the invitation of President Luong Cuong and his wife, King Philippe of Belgium and Queen paid a State visit to Vietnam from March 31 to April 4, 2025. On the morning of April 1, after a solemn State welcoming ceremony, President Luong Cuong and King Philippe of Belgium met at the Presidential Palace.

President Luong Cuong and King Philippe of Belgium

At the meeting, President Luong Cuong warmly welcomed the Belgian King Philippe and the high-ranking delegation of the Kingdom of Belgium to pay their first State visit to Vietnam since the two countries established diplomatic relations in 1973; affirming that the visit is an important historical milestone, opening a new page for the friendly relations between the two countries.

The President affirmed that Vietnam always attaches importance to and wishes to strengthen multi-faceted cooperation with Belgium, a member country with an important role and voice in the EU; expressed his appreciation for the valuable support of the Belgian people for Vietnam in the past struggle for national independence, as well as the good feelings and contributions of the King and Queen of Belgium personally to the country and people of Vietnam and the bilateral relationship in recent times.

King Philippe of Belgium expressed his pleasure in visiting Vietnam again, after three previous visits as Crown Prince; sincerely thanked the Party, State and people of Vietnam for the warm welcome given to the King and Queen personally, and the high-ranking Belgian delegation. The King congratulated Vietnam on its remarkable socio-economic achievements in recent times; affirmed his appreciation for Vietnam's role and position in the Asia-Pacific region and wished to strengthen cooperation with Vietnam in areas where both sides have strengths and potential.

President Luong Cuong and King Philippe of Belgium meet

In an atmosphere of sincerity, friendship and trust, the two leaders discussed major cooperation directions between the two countries to deepen the traditional friendship between Vietnam and Belgium, in a practical and effective manner, including increasing contacts and exchanges of delegations at all levels, especially high-level, through all channels of the Party, State, Government and National Assembly; continuing to effectively implement existing bilateral cooperation mechanisms and studying and building new cooperation mechanisms to deepen specialized cooperation between the two countries; closely coordinating and supporting each other at international forums and organizations such as the ASEAN - EU framework, Francophone, United Nations, especially at the United Nations Human Rights Council when both countries are members for the 2023-2025 term...

Regarding economy and trade, an important pillar in Vietnam - Belgium relations, the two leaders agreed to continue to effectively implement the Vietnam - EU Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA). President Luong Cuong proposed that Belgium soon ratify the Vietnam - EU Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA), in order to promote equal and mutually beneficial investment relations between businesses of the two countries; and suggested that Belgian businesses increase investment in Vietnam, especially in areas where Belgium has strengths such as high technology, renewable energy, digital transformation, and strategic infrastructure. The President also suggested that Belgium have a voice so that the European Commission (EC) can soon remove the IUU "yellow card" on Vietnam's seafood exports. King Philippe of Belgium hopes that Belgian businesses in the fields of wastewater treatment, energy, and rare mineral exploitation, etc. will be able to participate in investment and business activities in Vietnam.

The two sides agreed to promote cooperation in important areas such as agriculture, education and training, culture and tourism, national defense and security, science and technology, and local cooperation, while expanding to other potential areas such as green technology, artificial intelligence, innovation, high technology, promoting the startup ecosystem, and training high-quality human resources, especially in the semiconductor industry.

Discussing regional and international issues of mutual concern, the two sides affirmed the importance of promoting multilateralism and respect for international law; emphasizing the settlement of disputes in the East Sea by peaceful means, on the basis of the fundamental principles of the United Nations Charter and international law, especially the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), contributing to maintaining peace, stability, security, safety, freedom of navigation and aviation in the regions and the world, for global cooperation and prosperity.

President Luong Cuong and King Philippe of Belgium witnessed Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Nguyen Van Hung and Minister and Prime Minister of the Brussels-Capital Region Rudi Vervoort exchanging documents on the Cooperation Program for the period 2025-2027 between the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Vietnam and the Brussels-Capital Region.

After the meeting, the two leaders witnessed the exchange of cooperation documents in the fields of culture, trade, climate change, and support for victims of Agent Orange, including the 2025-2027 Cooperation Program document between the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Vietnam and the Brussels Capital Region.

Source: https://bvhttdl.gov.vn/bo-van-hoa-the-thao-va-du-lich-viet-nam-va-vung-thu-do-brussels-bi-ky-chuong-trinh-hop-tac-giai-doan-2025-2027-20250401141751111.htm