Deputy PM receives foreign guests
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh had a meeting in Hanoi on November 4 with President of the Belgian Senate Christine Defraigne, who is on an official visit to Vietnam.
The Vietnamese official voiced pleasure at the flourishing bilateral relations since the two countries set up diplomatic ties in 1973 and highly valued their parliamentary cooperation expansion at the federal, regional and community levels.
The countries need to maximise the effectiveness of their economic, trade and investment cooperation to meet their respective demand while increasing collaboration in education-training, culture and science-technology, he added.
Senate President Christine Defraigne said she is impressed by Vietnam’s socio-economic development along with the growth of their relationship while speaking highly of the Southeast Asian nations’ diplomatic achievements and standing in regional and global arenas.
She underlined the Belgium Senate’s advocacy of cooperation between the countries in all fields and at all levels.
At the meeting, the two sides hailed the pending signing of the Vietnam – European Union Free Trade Agreement, which will open up new opportunities for collaboration between Vietnam and the EU, including Belgium. They shared the view that the pact will help deepen their nations’ connections.
They also discussed bilateral coordination at international forums and organisations and joint efforts to support regional and global peace, stability, cooperation and development.
On the same day, Mr Minh received Icelandic Minister of Foreign Affairs and External Trade Gunnar Bragi Sveinsson.
Minh stated that Vietnam highly values ties with traditional friends in Europe, including Iceland.
He thanked Iceland for backing Vietnam’s bid for a seat at the United Nations Human Rights Council for the 2014-2016 tenure and the United Nations Socio-Economic Council for 2016-2018.
He wished that the two nations would continue close liaison and consultations as well as mutual support at regional and global forums.
Sveinsson, for his part, said the visit of the Icelandic President is to execute the policy of expanding ties with Asia, in which Vietnam is a significant partner.
Both sides reached consensus on launching joint work in the areas of trade-investment, aquaculture, renewable energy, tourism, education-training.
They also agreed to accelerate the negotiations and signing of a free trade agreement between Vietnam and the European Free Trade Association, creating a favourable framework for expanding bilateral trade and investment links.
Host and guest also discussed regional and global issued of shared concern, including the East Sea issue.
The countries need to maximise the effectiveness of their economic, trade and investment cooperation to meet their respective demand while increasing collaboration in education-training, culture and science-technology, he added.
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She underlined the Belgium Senate’s advocacy of cooperation between the countries in all fields and at all levels.
At the meeting, the two sides hailed the pending signing of the Vietnam – European Union Free Trade Agreement, which will open up new opportunities for collaboration between Vietnam and the EU, including Belgium. They shared the view that the pact will help deepen their nations’ connections.
They also discussed bilateral coordination at international forums and organisations and joint efforts to support regional and global peace, stability, cooperation and development.
On the same day, Mr Minh received Icelandic Minister of Foreign Affairs and External Trade Gunnar Bragi Sveinsson.
Minh stated that Vietnam highly values ties with traditional friends in Europe, including Iceland.
He thanked Iceland for backing Vietnam’s bid for a seat at the United Nations Human Rights Council for the 2014-2016 tenure and the United Nations Socio-Economic Council for 2016-2018.
He wished that the two nations would continue close liaison and consultations as well as mutual support at regional and global forums.
Sveinsson, for his part, said the visit of the Icelandic President is to execute the policy of expanding ties with Asia, in which Vietnam is a significant partner.
Both sides reached consensus on launching joint work in the areas of trade-investment, aquaculture, renewable energy, tourism, education-training.
They also agreed to accelerate the negotiations and signing of a free trade agreement between Vietnam and the European Free Trade Association, creating a favourable framework for expanding bilateral trade and investment links.
Host and guest also discussed regional and global issued of shared concern, including the East Sea issue.