National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan met President of the Chamber of Representatives of Belgium Siegfried Bracke in the capital city of Brussels on April 3 after her arrival.
During the meeting, the top Vietnamese legislator highlighted the growing ties between the two nations, saying her visit aims to spur the development of bilateral ties in a more practical manner.
She also voiced her hope that both sides would consider a new cooperation agreement in the time ahead.
Ngan briefed her host on Vietnam’s current situations, noting that the country has boosted its deeper integration into the world economy with its participation in 12 free trade agreements (FTAs). Vietnam is expected to sign and ratify another four FTAs.
Vietnam has been selected by many investors as their investment destination for its favourable business climate, stable socio-economic environment, and good economic growth, she said.
The country is appreciative of its cooperation with Belgium and regards the country as an important partner in Europe. Both nations have enjoyed successful cooperation across a variety of areas, with last year’s bilateral trade touching US$2.8 billion.
She showed Vietnam’s wish to augment cooperation with Belgium in multiple fields, particularly in renewable energies like solar and wind power.
Vietnam also aspires to foster bilateral ties in sea port infrastructure, public health, agriculture, and education and training.
Belgium grants 40 scholarships to Vietnam on an annual basis, and supports the country via a broad range of educational projects and cooperation programmes with Vietnamese universities and research institutes.
At the meeting, the leaders also touched upon the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement while showing her hope that the Belgian Federal Parliament will raise it voice to expedite the European Parliament (EP)’s ratification of the agreement, as the ratification will bring about practical benefits to Vietnam, Belgium and the EU.
Bracke said that the two sides realized the importance of the EVFTA in economic development of all parties, adding that involved parties will consider all finalized procedures to ratify the agreement at the beginning of the next tenure of the EP.
The Belgian side will try its best to accelerate the process, he affirmed.
President Bracke said it is time to sign cooperation agreements in a wide range of areas, especially in agriculture.
He suggested that both countries should work hand in hand in education, particularly at the tertiary level, adding that creativity is really crucial to achieving win-win cooperation.
Source : VOV