Belgian King impressed by Vietnam's socio-economic development achievements

Belgian King Philippe expressed his impression and congratulated Vietnam on its socio-economic development achievements; emphasizing that Vietnam is increasingly becoming a destination for Belgian tourists and businesses.

On April 1, at the National Assembly House, National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man had a meeting with Belgian King Philippe, who is on a state visit to Vietnam.

National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man welcomed the Belgian King Philippe and the high-ranking Belgian delegation to pay a State visit to Vietnam; emphasized the significance of the visit as an important milestone opening a new chapter in bilateral relations; and thanked the King and Queen for their good feelings towards Vietnam.

The National Assembly Chairman welcomed Belgium as the first country in the world to pass the Belgian National Assembly Resolution on supporting Vietnamese Agent Orange victims, thereby contributing to promoting attention and calling on the international community to support Agent Orange victims; called on EU parliaments to pass similar Resolutions; and hoped that the two countries would actively implement the Resolution through specific projects in Vietnam.

National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man expressed his delight at the positive developments in the friendly relations between Vietnam and Belgium in general and the cooperation between the Vietnamese National Assembly and the Belgian Parliament in particular through high-level visits and contacts between parliamentarians as well as coordination at multilateral parliamentary forums such as the IPU, ASEP, APF, etc., contributing to enhancing mutual understanding, consolidating political trust, and promoting cooperation in all fields; affirming that Vietnam is ready to act as a bridge to promote relations between the Belgian Parliament and the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Union.

The two sides welcomed the signing of the Cooperation Agreement between the Vietnamese National Assembly and the Belgian Parliament; agreed to actively implement this Agreement in the coming time.

National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man meets with King Philippe of Belgium. (Photo: Doan Tan/VNA)

King Philippe of Belgium expressed his gratitude for the warm welcome of the National Assembly Chairman and State Leaders of Vietnam for the high-ranking Belgian delegation; expressed his impression and congratulated Vietnam on its socio-economic development achievements; emphasized that Vietnam is increasingly becoming a destination for Belgian tourists and businesses.

The Belgian King agreed that the two countries need to continue to deepen cooperation in the fields of high technology, semiconductors, green energy, precision engineering, sustainable agriculture, education and training, tourism, local cooperation, etc. through bilateral cooperation mechanisms and the framework of the Strategic Partnership on Agriculture between the two countries; he said that Belgium has experience and is ready to cooperate to help Vietnam detoxify areas contaminated with Agent Orange.

In order to further promote the Vietnam-Belgium friendship, as well as cooperation between the two countries' Parliaments, the two sides agreed to increase the exchange of delegations at all levels, especially between the Committees and Bilateral Parliamentary Friendship Groups of the two countries' National Assemblies, to exchange information and experience in the fields of legislation and supervision; coordinate positions, support each other in running for United Nations agencies; and effectively implement the Vietnam-EU Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA).

Belgian King Philippe affirmed that the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) is beneficial to both countries and that Belgium is about to complete the ratification process of this Agreement; noted the National Assembly Chairman's proposal to urge the EC to soon remove the IUU "yellow card" on Vietnam's seafood exports, taking into account Vietnam's efforts in implementing the EC's recommendations and developing sustainable fisheries.

National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man thanked and asked Belgian authorities at all levels to continue creating favorable conditions for the Vietnamese community in Belgium to successfully integrate into the host society, serving as a bridge to promote friendship and cooperation between the two countries.

The Belgian King stressed that both countries support a world order based on international law; in the context of the current complex world changes, the two sides need to strengthen coordination on the basis of the good relationship of the past 50 years.

Regarding the East Sea issue, the National Assembly Chairman thanked and asked Belgium to continue to have a strong voice in support of the peaceful settlement of disputes in accordance with international law, especially the 1982 UNCLOS./.

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