Delegates at the reception hosted by President of the Chamber of Representatives of Belgium Éliane Tillieux (Photo: VNA)

Also present at the meeting were Tran To Nga, a Vietnamese victim of Agent Orange (AO)/dioxin now living in France, and Belgian lawmaker André Flahaut, who submitted a resolution on supporting Vietnamese AO victims to the Federal Parliament of Belgium in December 2021.

The resolution was passed by the Belgian Chamber of Representatives on October 5 with unanimous approval. This was the first parliament in the world to pass a resolution to support AO/dioxin victims.  

Speaking at the meeting, Tillieux expressed her delight that the resolution in support of AO/dioxin victims received unanimous approval from all Belgian political parties, showing a genuine concern for AO victims and the enormous risks to the environment caused by this toxic chemical.

Ambassador Thao praised the support of the Belgian parliament, which he said will increase the international community’s awareness of AO/dioxin victims.

Ambassador Thao thanked MP André Flahaut, the Speaker of the Chamber of Representatives, the Belgian Parliament, and international friends for standing with Vietnam. He promised that the Vietnamese Embassy will coordinate with Belgium to promote support for AO victims.

He handed over to the Belgian Chamber of Representatives leader a thank-you letter and an invitation to visit Vietnam from National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue.