Breakthroughs for Vietnam's relations with Belgium,EU

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung will pay an official visit to Belgium and the European Union (EU) from October 12-14 at the invitation of the Belgian Prime Minister and the President of the European Commission (EC).

According to Vietnam Ambassador to Belgium and the EU, Pham Sanh Chau, despite his trips to the EU and Belgium in 2006 and 2010, this is PM Dung's first official visit to both Belgium and the EU in the context that both partners are undergoing the leadership transition amid the global rapid and drastic changes.

During the visit, PM Dung is scheduled to thank former EU leaders for their contributions to the growth of bilateral relations and discuss measures to promote future relations with new EU and Belgian leaders. 

Dung and EC President José Manuel Barroso will release a political statement in which the two leaders will stress the need to reach an EVFTA soon in a bid to further strengthen the comprehensive partnership between the two sides for mutual benefit. 

They will witness the signing of documents welcoming EU decision to pledge further aid of 400 million euros to Vietnam in the 2014-2020 period,  up 30% over 2007-2013 despite facing economic woes and  negative impacts of public debt crisis.

With its commitment, the EU remains the largest non-refundable aid provider of Vietnam since both sides established diplomatic relations in 1990.

The Vietnamese government leader will also witness a ceremony granting an investment license to Belgian company Rentaport which is pumping US$260 million into a project underway on an area of ​​5,000 hectares in Cat Hai island in northern Hai Phong province. 

Being aware of the critically important position and role of the EU, Vietnam has always regarded the EU as one of the top important partners and placed high importance on boosting stronger cooperation with the European bloc, Ambassador Chau said.

Since the establishment of diplomatic ties, cooperation between the two sides has delivered great benefits in line with their expectations. 

The EU is seen as an important partner, a large market with potential direct investment and a donor of goodwill.

The EU defines Vietnam as an important partner in its Asian strategy. Historical links, cross cultural exchanges between Vietnam and European countries are factors that facilitate the development of relations between the two sides.

Ambassador Chau said bilateral ties are in the best ever development period and will achieve breakthroughs with the signing of the EVFTA in the months to come.