Vietnam-Belgium-EU join hands for green and sustainable development

According to a VNA correspondent in Brussels, within the framework of the second Global Gateway Forum in Brussels (Kingdom of Belgium), on October 10, Deputy Prime Minister Bui Thanh Son had important meetings with President of the Belgian Federal House of Representatives, Peter De Roover, and Commissioner for International Partnerships of the European Commission (EC), Jozef Sikela, to promote cooperation between Vietnam-Belgium and Vietnam-European Union (EU) in many key areas.

At the meeting, the President of the Belgian Federal House of Representatives inquired about the storm and flood situation in Vietnam and expressed his deep sympathy with the Vietnamese people for the damage caused by natural disasters.

Deputy Prime Minister Bui Thanh Son thanked the international community, including Belgium, for their attention and support, affirming that this is a valuable source of encouragement for the Vietnamese people.

The two leaders expressed satisfaction with the positive developments in bilateral relations, affirming their determination to effectively implement the results achieved after the visit of the King and Queen of Belgium to Vietnam (April 2025).

The two sides welcomed the signing of the Cooperation Agreement (February 2025) by the Vietnamese National Assembly and the Belgian Parliament, considering this an important foundation to concretize areas of cooperation in the coming time.

The Deputy Prime Minister highly appreciated Belgium's role in the EU and proposed that Belgium soon ratify the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) in 2025, thereby encouraging Belgian businesses to invest in Vietnam in areas of strength such as logistics, seaports and renewable energy.

Deputy Prime Minister Bui Thanh Son and President of the Belgian House of Representatives Peter De Roover. (Photo: Huong Giang/VNA)

The Deputy Prime Minister also asked Belgium to support Vietnam in developing a sustainable marine economy and fisheries, and to actively urge the European Commission (EC) to soon remove the IUU "yellow card" on Vietnamese seafood.

As Strategic Partners in Agriculture, the two sides agreed to strengthen cooperation in developing circular agriculture, smart agriculture and solutions to respond to saline intrusion and drought, especially in the Mekong Delta, contributing to promoting green transformation and sustainable development in Vietnam.

The President of the Belgian Federal House of Representatives agreed to increase exchanges between specialized committees, young parliamentarians and Friendship Parliamentarians' Groups, and step up coordination at regional and international inter-parliamentary forums such as the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), the Asia-Pacific Parliamentary Forum (APPF), the Asia-Europe Parliamentary Partnership (ASEP) and the General Assembly of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (AIPA).

He affirmed that Belgium attaches importance to multifaceted cooperation with Vietnam, especially in the fields of trade and investment, high-tech agriculture, smart logistics and climate change response.

Deputy Prime Minister Bui Thanh Son thanked and appreciated the Belgian House of Representatives for being the first foreign parliament to pass a resolution supporting Vietnamese victims of Agent Orange, and suggested that both sides implement this resolution through specific projects to support Vietnam in overcoming the consequences of war, restoring the ecosystem and helping victims of Agent Orange.

The Deputy Prime Minister also reiterated that Vietnam exempts 45-day visas for citizens of 12 European countries, including Belgium, when entering Vietnam for tourism; and at the same time requested Belgium to consider exempting visas for holders of Vietnamese diplomatic and official passports, facilitating cooperation and delegation exchanges.

On this occasion, the Deputy Prime Minister conveyed the invitation of National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man to the President of the Belgian House of Representatives to pay an official visit to Vietnam in the near future. The President of the House of Representatives happily accepted the invitation and agreed to discuss through diplomatic channels to arrange a suitable time.

Also on October 10, Deputy Prime Minister Bui Thanh Son met with EC Commissioner for International Partnerships Jozef Sikela.

Deputy Prime Minister Bui Thanh Son works with European Commissioner for International Partnerships, Jozef Sikela. (Photo: Huong Giang/VNA)

The two sides assessed that the EU's Global Gateway Strategy has many similarities with Vietnam's development orientation and agreed to promote cooperation projects in the fields of green infrastructure, digital connectivity, innovation and high-quality human resource development, thereby strengthening the Vietnam-EU Comprehensive Partnership and Cooperation.

During the working trip, the Deputy Prime Minister visited and met with officials and staff of the Vietnamese Embassy in Belgium and the Vietnamese Delegation to the EU, praising the efforts and contributions of the representative agencies in promoting the friendship and cooperation between Vietnam, Belgium and the EU.

The Deputy Prime Minister requested that Vietnamese representative agencies in Belgium continue to innovate their thinking, effectively carry out foreign affairs work, implement Resolution 59-NQ/TW of the Politburo on international integration in the new situation, operate according to the motto "lean, compact, strong", contribute to socio-economic development and enhance the country's position; at the same time, pay attention to the work of the Vietnamese community abroad, encourage people to turn to their homeland, contributing to the development of Vietnam./.

(TTXVN/Vietnam+)

Source: https://www.vietnamplus.vn/viet-nam-bi-eu-chung-tay-vi-phat-trien-xanh-va-ben-vung-post1069709.vnp