Vietnam regards Belgium as important partner in EU

The all-around cooperation between the two countries, including parliamentary relations, has been growing  steadily, Man told his guest and expressed his hope that Flahaut’s visit will contribute to fostering the sound relationship between the two nations and legislative bodies.

Man thanked the Belgian Chamber of Representatives for its ratification of a resolution in support of Agent Orange (AO)/dioxin victims in Vietnam, to which Flahaut made significant contributions.

He suggested both sides continue with their close coordination and called for more practical support from the Belgian side to Vietnam in finance, technology and personnel development in dioxin remediation.

Host and guest showed their elation at the development of the legislative ties, within both bilateral and multilateral frameworks.

To boost comprehensive collaboration and mutual political trust and understanding, Man suggested the two countries intensify the exchange of delegations at all levels, especially the high level, and via all channels, including the parliamentary one.

This is along with bolstering coordination and mutual support at regional and international inter-parliamentary forums, he said, while affirming Vietnam’s readiness to serve as a bridge between Belgium and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) as well as between the Belgian parliament and the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA).

Highlighting economic cooperation as a pillar of the bilateral ties, the Vietnamese legislator stated that there is plenty of room for the two countries to advance the collaboration.

The NA Vice Chairman voiced his hope that the Belgian Chamber of Representatives will soon ratify the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) before the end of this tenure to fully tap cooperation potential between the two nations in investment.

He also called on Belgium to urge the European Commission (EC) to soon lift its “yellow card” warning against Vietnamese seafood.

Man thanked the Belgian Government for its valuable support to Vietnam over the past years in the areas of clean water, waste treatment, institutional enhancement, agriculture and rural development, health care, and education, saying he hopes for more support and cooperation in these fields.

In response, Flahaut told his host that the Belgian parliament has finalized procedures related to the cooperation agreement between the two legislatures and will soon send it to the Vietnamese side.

Echoing Man’s views, he said the two law-making bodies should better perform their supervision function and promote their coordination in monitoring the implementation of cooperation mechanisms and agreements between the two governments as well as important collaboration projects.