(VOVWORLD) - President of the Belgian Senate Stephanie D'Hose is on an official visit to Vietnam from August 21-25 at the invitation of National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue. This is an important high-level diplomatic activity, demonstrating the two countries and their legislative agencies’ aspirations to strengthen bilateral ties.
 Chairman of the Vietnamese National Assembly Vuong Dinh Hue and President of the Belgian Senate Stephanie D'Hose sign a letter of intent on cooperation. (photo: VOV) |
Since Vietnam and Belgium established diplomatic ties in 1973, their traditional friendship and cooperation have grown steadily.
The importance of bilateral cooperation
Belgium is a founding member of the European Union. Many EU agencies are located in Belgium, which is a European hub for distribution and transshipment of goods. Belgium is an important partner of Vietnam, a gateway for Vietnamese goods to enter the European market, and a bridge for Vietnam to strengthen cooperation with Europe.
2023 is a special year for Vietnam and Belgium as they celebrate the 50th anniversary of their diplomatic relations and the 5th anniversary of the Strategic Partnership on Agriculture.
Belgium is Vietnam’s 6th largest trading partner in the EU. Two-way trade last year reached 4.7 billion USD. As of March, Belgium has 87 valid investment projects in Vietnam with a total registered capital of 1.1 billion USD, ranking 6th out of 24 EU countries investing in Vietnam.
Belgium has provided 300 million USD in development aid to Vietnam, focusing on clean water, waste treatment, institutional improvement, agriculture and rural development, health care, education, and other socio-economic development fields.
Vietnamese Ambassador to Belgium Nguyen Van Thao said: “Belgium, as the center of Europe, has actively promoted Vietnam’s cooperation with the EU. Over the last 50 years, the relations between Vietnam and Belgium have achieved good results in politics, diplomacy, economics, culture, and people-to-people exchanges. It is worth noting that Belgium also considers Vietnam a potential partner in the region.”
 Chairman of the Vietnamese National Assembly Vuong Dinh Hue and President of the Belgian Senate Stephanie D'Hose hold talks on August 21, 2023. (Photo: VOV) |
Promoting bilateral parliamentary cooperation
Vietnam and Belgium have enhanced parliamentary cooperation at the federal and regional level and within the Francophone community. The two have strengthened exchanges of high-level visits, meetings, and parliamentarians and at multilateral parliamentary forums.
NA Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue’s working visit to Belgium in September, 2021 had deepened the relations between the two countries and legislative agencies. During the meetings and working sessions, the two sides emphasized the importance of respecting the law and settling all disputes at sea on the basis of international law.
The official visit to Vietnam by the President of the Belgian Senate Stéphanie D'Hoseat this time is an important diplomatic event.
National Assembly Chairman Hue’s invitation for President of the Belgian Senate Stéphanie D'Hose to visit Vietnam affirms the country’s consistent policy of respecting the friendly relationship and multilateral cooperation with Belgium. The visit will make bilateral parliamentary cooperation more effective, especially since the two legislative agencies signed a Cooperation Agreement.
Deputy Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the National Assembly Don Tuan Phong said: “This is a very important visit because the Belgian Senate and the Chamber of Representatives signed a cooperation agreement with the National Assembly of Vietnam. The agreement has established a framework for cooperation between the two countries in the future.”
With a firm foundation over the last 50 years, Vietnam and Belgium will continue to improve their relationship. The visit of the President of the Belgian Senate is a chance for both countries to further bilateral cooperation in potential sectors.