The visiting Vietnamese National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung made the statement during talks with Speaker of the Belgian House of Representatives, Andre Flahaut, in Brussels on December 6.
He spoke highly of Belgium’s role as a founding member of the European Union (EU) and its positive contribution to the union, expressing his wish that Belgium would continue to support Vietnam in stepping up its comprehensive relationship with the EU.
Vietnam is also willing to help tighten Belgium-ASEAN and ASEAN-EU ties, he said.
Chairman Hung suggested the two legislative bodies promote the exchange of delegations at all levels, share experience in legislative and supervisory activities to consolidate mutual trust and understanding, and support each other at multilateral forums for peace, national independence, development and social progress.
The Vietnamese legislature is ready to cooperate with Belgium’s parliament in overseeing the implementation of joint agreements to bring more practical benefits to the two countries.
For his part, Speaker Andre Flahaut said he believes that Hung’s visit will contribute to promoting the friendship and cooperation between the two legislatures and open up new prospects for inter-regional and international cooperation.
He informed his guest of Belgium’s plan to establish a new government, which he said will create favourable conditions for strengthening Vietnam-Belgium cooperation in all fields.
*** On the same day, Mr Hung also attended the Vietnam-Belgium Business Forum.
He said Vietnam considers foreign direct investment an important element in the national economy and looks forward to more investors coming from Belgium and other European countries.
In the renewal process Vietnam has completed its legal and institutional systems in line with international practices, Hung said.
Mr Hung affirmed that Vietnam attaches great importance to strengthening ties with Europe. Accordingly, the country will fulfill its commitments under the framework agreement between Vietnam and EU and ensure equal treatment between European and American businesses.
Bilateral economic, trade and investment between Vietnam and Belgium is far from meeting their potential and expectations. So businesses from both countries should take the lead in promoting bilateral ties.
At the forum, Belgium Secretary of State Mark Eyskens stated that while tightening ties between the legislative and judicial agencies of the EU and expanding cooperation with ASEAN, Belgium businesses wish to cooperate with Vietnamese partners in areas where they have a high competitive edge.
In recent times, he noted Vietnam has tried its best to promote cooperation with Belgium and other countries. The country has accelerated application of science and advanced technologies. The growing ties between Vietnam and EU, especially between Vietnam and Belgium play an important role in Vietnam’s development process.
*** Also on the same day, NA Chairman Hung met with EU Trade Commissioner Karel De Gucht and Belgium Senate President Sabine de Bethune. He witnessed the signing of a financial agreement on a project to assist Vietnam’s healthcare sector.
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