President Luong Cuong hosted a solemn reception for the King of Belgium.

President Luong Cuong and his wife welcomed the King of Belgium Philippe and the Queen to a reception. Photo: Lam Khanh/VNA

Warmly welcoming the King and Queen and the high-ranking delegation of the Kingdom of Belgium to Vietnam, the President said that the fact that Vietnam has repeatedly welcomed the King and Queen is vivid proof of the deep affection that the King and Queen have for Vietnam.

The President expressed his hope that during this visit, the King and Queen will feel more clearly the transformation, change and strong development of Vietnam; creating an important driving force for the next development stage of the Vietnam - Belgium friendship.

Affirming that despite the geographical distance, the two countries are connected by a strong friendship and substantive cooperation, the President emphasized that Vietnam always remembers and is grateful for the valuable support of the Belgian people in the past struggle for national liberation and reunification, as well as in the country's construction and development today; at the same time, he expressed his gratitude when the Belgian Parliament was the first legislative body in the world to pass a resolution to support Vietnamese victims of Agent Orange, contributing to promoting the international community's concern for victims of Agent Orange and the consequences of war in Vietnam.

President Luong Cuong delivers a welcome speech. Photo: Lam Khanh/VNA

The President pointed out that over the past half century, Vietnam and Belgium have become important partners in the fields of politics - diplomacy, trade - investment, education, health, environment and sustainable development, and have always cooperated closely and effectively, supporting each other's initiatives at multilateral forums, especially when both countries are members of the United Nations Human Rights Council for the 2023-2025 term.

Referring to the fact that more and more Belgian enterprises are expanding their investment and business in Vietnam, contributing to making Belgium one of Vietnam's important economic partners in the EU; while many Vietnamese products and goods have reached Belgian consumers, the President believes that the ratification of the Vietnam - EU Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) in the coming time will bring benefits to Belgian enterprises investing and doing business in Vietnam.

Emphasizing the success of the meeting with King Philippe, along with the enthusiastic support of the King and Queen, on the basis of the good traditional friendship and cooperation between the two countries, the President expressed strong belief in a bright future in the relationship between the two countries.

Quoting President Ho Chi Minh, “Solidarity, solidarity, great solidarity - Success, success, great success”, the President wished that the two countries would continue to join hands and unite to develop the friendly relationship more and more practically and effectively for the benefit of the people of the two countries, for peace, stability and development of the region and the world.

King Philippe of Belgium speaks. Photo: Lam Khanh/VNA

In his response, expressing his honor to return to Vietnam, King Philippe shared that after his first visit to Vietnam in 1994, he also accompanied two trade delegations to Vietnam in the following years. Two years ago, the Queen also visited Vietnam to promote children's rights; at the same time, he affirmed that this State visit clearly demonstrated the importance of friendship with the Vietnamese people.

The Belgian King expressed his admiration for the impressive economic development that Vietnam has achieved, in which market economic reform, accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO) and focus on trade development have brought about good results. He also emphasized that with the strong determination of the Vietnamese people, Vietnam has made spectacular progress.

Looking back at the achievements that the two sides have made together over the years, King Philippe affirmed the values ​​that both countries cherish, in which both countries promote multilateralism, build connections and international law, especially in conflict prevention.

President Luong Cuong and his wife, King Philippe of Belgium and Queen with Vietnamese artists. Photo: Lam Khanh/VNA

Citing lessons from Vietnam's Tale of Kieu, King Philippe said that the quest for freedom, justice and happiness is still valid today and that both countries want a more equitable world where human happiness is placed above short-term interests.

Affirming that Vietnam and Belgium also closely coordinate in the fight against climate change, aiming for net zero emissions by 2050, King Philippe said that the Deep C Eco-Industrial Park, which he will visit this time, represents the future of logistics, renewable energy and waste reduction. Belgian companies are also investing in the fields of hydrogen energy, advanced medical treatment, insurance and steel, logistics, food and offshore wind power.

President Luong Cuong and his wife, along with King Philippe of Belgium and Queen Philippe, visit the photo exhibition on the relationship between the two countries, produced by the Vietnam News Agency. Photo: Lam Khanh/VNA

Sharing the losses, pain and consequences that the Vietnamese people have suffered in previous wars, King Philippe expressed pride in the success of the pilot project on dioxin contamination treatment; affirmed that Belgium will continue its efforts to support Vietnamese victims of Agent Orange in the Resolution adopted by the Belgian Parliament in 2023.

The King said that in Ho Chi Minh City, he and the Queen will meet with some of the victims and investors involved in the next dioxin remediation projects, aiming to create a healthier living environment for the Vietnamese people. Research institutes and training centers in Belgium and Vietnam also maintain close cooperation. Every year, hundreds of Vietnamese students come to Belgium to study and conduct research. To date, more than 5,000 former Vietnamese students who have graduated from Belgian universities are contributing their skills in various fields.

President Luong Cuong and his wife, along with the King of Belgium Philippe and the Queen, visit a photo exhibition on the relationship between the two countries, produced by the Vietnam News Agency. Photo: Lam Khanh/VNA

King Philippe affirmed that the close relationship between Vietnam and Belgium harmoniously links the past, present and future, and that this relationship is built on the basis of the wisdom of our ancestors and the long-standing cooperation between the two countries. Today, the new partnership of the two countries shines like a radiant pearl, and this cooperation shows a bright future built on the foundation of peace, prosperity and integration.

VNA

Source: https://daibieunhandan.vn/chu-tich-nuoc-luong-cuong-chu-tri-chieu-dai-trong-the-nha-vua-bi-post409021.html