(VOVWORLD) - Vietnam always values its friendship and multifaceted cooperation with Belgium, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son told Belgian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Affairs, and Development Cooperation Maxime Prevot at a meeting in Hanoi on Monday.
 Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son (R) and Belgian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Affairs, and Development Cooperation Maxime Prevot. (photo: NEWS) |
Son thanked Belgium for being the first country to pass a resolution supporting Agent Orange (AO) victims in Vietnam, a move that has helped heighten global awareness of chemical weapons’ dangers. He underlined the need to fully leverage the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) and urged Belgium to expedite the ratification of the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA).
Prevot reaffirmed Belgium’s commitment to enhancing trade and investment with Vietnam, ensuring stable global supply chains. Confident in the EVIPA’s imminent ratification, he echoed Son’s view on its mutual benefits.
Both sides pledged that their countries will continue close coordination and mutual support at international forums, including the United Nations, particularly the UN Human Rights Council, where both are serving as members for the 2023–2025 term, as well as within the ASEAN – EU and Francophonie cooperation frameworks.
Both sides agreed to translate the outcomes of the Belgian King’s state visit into concrete actions and facilitate mutual visits at both central and local levels.
Beyond traditional areas like trade, investment and education, they placed emphasis on scaling up cooperation across other spheres such as national defence, high technology, semiconductor, innovation, energy transition, and quality workforce training for the semiconductor industry.