Sign in Subscribe
Chairpersons

Strengthening Ties: Vietnamese NA Delegation Expands Cooperation with Belgium and the EU

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

A Vietnamese National Assembly (NA) delegation, led by Vice Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Thanh, has concluded a visit to Belgium and the European Parliament (EP), marking a significant expansion of multifaceted cooperation between the two nations. Over the past five decades, bilateral ties have grown positively, particularly since the establishment of their strategic partnership in agriculture in 2018. The visit aimed to deepen inter-parliamentary cooperation, foster traditional friendship, and comprehensively enhance collaboration between Vietnam and Belgium.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Vietnamese NA delegation emphasized the importance of developing friendship and cooperation with Belgium, citing positive growth in various fields, especially since the establishment of their strategic partnership in agriculture in 2018.
  • Both sides agreed to prioritize boosting trade and investment cooperation, particularly effective implementation of the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA), and to strengthen collaboration in the EU's areas of strength such as science-technology, innovation, green transition, digital transformation, and high-quality human resource training.
  • The Belgian Senate and Federal Parliament stand ready to strengthen ties with the Vietnamese NA, with a focus on enhancing parliamentary cooperation, boosting delegation exchanges, and sharing lessons in decentralisation, administrative reform, law-making, and gender equality.
  • The delegation also urged the Belgian Parliament to soon complete ratification of the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) and thanked the Belgian Chamber of Representatives for adopting a resolution on Vietnamese Agent Orange (AO)/dioxin victims.
  • National Assembly Vice Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Thanh invited the Belgian Parliament to support policies facilitating the Vietnamese community's integration into Belgian society and proposed Belgium support projects for AO/dioxin victims in Vietnam.
  • The Vietnamese NA Vice Chairwoman also held a working session with European Parliament (EP) Vice-President Younous Omarjee, highlighting the positive development in the Vietnam-EU comprehensive partnership and cooperation and emphasizing the need for joint efforts to achieve new successes.

Statistics:

  • Over the past five decades, Vietnam and Belgium have seen positive growth in their bilateral ties, particularly since the establishment of their strategic partnership in agriculture in 2018.
  • The visit aimed to deepen inter-parliamentary cooperation, foster traditional friendship, and comprehensively enhance collaboration between Vietnam and Belgium.
  • The two sides agreed to prioritize boosting trade and investment cooperation, particularly effective implementation of the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA).
  • Vietnam and the EU have been working on elevating bilateral ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership, with ongoing discussions and joint efforts.

Sources:

  • A National Assembly (NA) delegation led by Vice Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Thanh.
  • Nguyen Thi Thanh, National Assembly Vice Chairwoman.
  • Gryffoy, Belgian Senate.
  • Younous Omarjee, European Parliament (EP) Vice-President.
  • European Parliament (EP).
  • Belgian Senate and Federal Parliament.
  • Vietnamese Embassy in Belgium.
  • Mission of Vietnam to the EU.

Read more