Vietnam, Belgium hold high-level talks
(VOV) - Prime Minister Elio Di Rupo has welcomed Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong’s visit as an important political event to bring Vietnam-Belgium relations to a new height.
During talks in Brussels on January 17, Elio Di Rupo spoke highly of Vietnam’s increasing role and its significant contributions to regional development and cooperation.
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He also praised Vietnam’s tremendous achievements during the Doi Moi (Renewal) process, and confirmed that Vietnam is a priority nation in Belgium’s cooperation policy.
He expressed hope that as the coordinator of ASEAN-EU relations in 2013 Vietnam will help promote ties between Belgium and ASEAN, as well as between ASEAN and the EU.
For his part, Trong valued Belgium’s role in the international arena, especially in Europe, and assured his host that Vietnam considers Belgium an important partner supporting relations between Vietnam and the EU and other European nations.
Both host and guest briefed each other on the situation in their respective countries, and exchanged views on international issues of mutual concern.
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They expressed elation at the fruitful development of the friendship and all-round cooperation between the two countries over the years, noting that the cooperation relationship has been strengthened at all levels and multilateral forums.
They agreed to increase Vietnam-Belgium cooperation in politics, economic, trade, investment, development cooperation, education-training, and science and technology.
The leaders underlined the need to foster links in the areas of infrastructure development, technology development, seaport construction, and human resource training for the information technology sector.
Party leader Trong invited Elio Di Rupo to visit Vietnam, and the invitation was accepted with pleasure.
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After the talks, they witnessed the signing of a number of cooperation agreements between the two countries, including a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on supporting Vietnam’s climate change adaptation and another MoU on building Dinh Vu port in Haiphong city.
Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong arrived in Brussels on January 17 for an official visit to Belgium and the European Union.
He held talks with European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso and European Council President Herman Van Rompuy to further elevate Vietnam-EU relations.
After Brussels, Trong will visit Italy and the United Kingdom during his European trip from January 17 to 24.