From January 1st 2019 onwards, Belgium will begin its two-year term in the United Nations Security Council. On the eve of the start of this mandate, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Didier Reynders underscores the importance of this responsibility, which the international community entrusted to our country. Minister Reynders renews the commitment of Belgium to be a constructive, open and trustworthy partner in the pursuit of collective answers to international issues of peace of security, in cooperation with the other members of the Security Council and all other stakeholders.

In line with the United Nations Charter, Belgium will act in the name of the whole international community. While the pressure on the post-war mechanisms of international cooperation is also felt in the dynamics within the Security Council itself, Belgium is committed to embody the multilateral vision which inspires its foreign policy since the end of the second world war. During its mandate, Belgium will remain true to the spirit of dialogue which guided its entire campaign and strive to bring to value, in a pragmatic way, its traditional conciliatory role translated in the motto “Building consensus, acting for peace”.

Belgium will seek to contribute substantially to debates on all important global questions that will come to the attention of the Security Council, with emphasis on a number of points, reflecting our values and expertise. This mandate falls indeed within the broader framework of the international action of Belgium, which displays in particular a strong human rights profile and a strong commitment to its European dimension. Belgium will also make sure to bring forward actions integrating in a coherent manner the tools of Diplomacy, Development cooperation and Defense, in line with its efforts for a “comprehensive approach”.

Besides the specific tasks divided among the members of the Council, Belgium will continue to devote particular attention to a number of themes on which it has a longstanding track record and which it promoted all along its campaign. These can be brought under the keywords of prevention, protection and performance.

• Prevention first, with the objective to address preoccupying situations before they degenerate into international conflicts. The promotion of mediation, attention for the threats which climate change can constitute for peace and security or the non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction all fall under this header.
• Protection, because international security depends on the security of each individual. Our country will strive in particular to keep the protection of children in armed conflicts, the access to humanitarian aid and the fight against impunity high on the agenda.
• Lastly, performance. A performant operational management of United Nations missions is indeed critical. Our country supports moreover the UN Secretary General’s reform agenda, including his Action for peacekeeping. The pursuit of better results should also be reflected in a larger involvement of women, at the political as well as operational level.

Belgium – Luxembourg Chamber of commerce in Vietnam (BELUXCHAM) is pleased to announce that the Fifth Belgian Beer Festival 2018 will be held on November 24, 2018 starting at 3.00 pm at Saigon Outcast (188 / 1 Nguyen Van Huong, Thao Dien Ward, District 2). Beluxcham and other Belgian beer import companies and Belgian restaurants will co-organize this festival to promote and introduce Belgian beer to Vietnamese.

Belgium – “the heart of Europe” is not only famous for owning more mansions than any other country, but also for its unique culinary culture. In particular, Belgian beer- The beverage has more than 2500 different kinds of beer and recipes are passed down through many generations. In 2014, a Belgian beer (Tongerlo Blond) was selected as the best beer in the world and by 2016, UNESCO has recognized Belgian beers as a world cultural heritage. In Belgium, beer is both a drink and the culture, tradition to play an indispensable role in social life. Belgian beer is an art from how to make to the way to enjoy. During the Middle Ages, the monks selected brewing materials from barley, special grass and hops. Then, they distilled and fermented carefully. Therefore, Belgian beer is very diverse from color to flavor . Belgian beer color scale is from light yellow to dark brown. The flavor is sweet, bitter to sour. Each type of beer brings the characteristics for each region that cannot be mixed or resembled anywhere. Belgian beer is always kept cool preserved properly. Each kind of beer will own the beer glass designed exclusively for it so that people can enjoy the taste fully. We have to pour slowly to avoid spilling the foam and the perfect foam is about 1.5cm to 2cm.

Belgian Beer Festival in Vietnam was first held in Hanoi in 2014 according to the idea of the Belgian Ambassador. ‘’I would expect more visitors to attend the event and enjoy the Belgian beers”, Belgian Ambassador Bruno Angelet said. On 30.03.2018, the Belgian beer festival has returned to Hanoi and succeeded with more than 1200 guests and international friends in Vietnam. Participating in the festival, you will have the opportunity to get more knowledge about Belgian beer, about the diverse, unique and excellent quality of Belgian beer. You can try many kinds of Belgian beers including light beer, fruit beer and beer for woman, know how to make beer, participate in mini games or drown in the vibrant atmosphere of Belgium and other activities.

The ticket price is 50.000 VND for the entrance and can be bought at the door or contact the online and offline selling ticket channels as follows:

 Online: https://ticketbox.vn/event/belgian-beer-festival-73824/50609

Offline:

– Belgo restaurant: 159A Nguyen Van Thu street, Dakao Ward, District 1

– Saigon Outcast: 188/1 Nguyen Van Huong, Thao Dien Ward, District 2

– Beluxcham office: F.15, 5B Ton Duc Thang St, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1.

For more information on newspaper articles, please contact:

Ms Lê Thị Mỹ Bình

Phone: +84 28 3822 4029

Email: info@beluxcham.com

Website: https://www.beluxcham.com

The 12th Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) Summit concluded in Brussels, Belgium on October 19 with the release of a Presidential Statement affirming determination of ASEM members in strengthening partnership between the two continents in coping with global challenges and sketching out orientations to enhance intra-bloc cooperation in the future.

Prior to the closing, leaders of ASEM member countries had a discussion on regional and international issues, focusing on matters related to peace, security, anti-terrorism, non- proliferation of mass destruction weapons and maritime security.

They also discussed the complicated situation in the Middle East – Northern Africa, the Korean Peninsula, Iran, and the migration crisis. Many countries showed their concern about developments affecting security environment in Asia, including the East Sea and East China Sea.

Participants affirmed their commitment to maintaining peace, stability, maritime and overflight security, safety and freedom on the basis of full implementation of international law, as well as peacefully settling disputes in line with international law, especially the UN Charter and the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) 1982, refraining from using or threatening to use force, not conducting unilateral actions against international law, and implementing measures to build trust and ensure self-restraint.

Addressing the session, Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc stressed that peace, cooperation and development is the main trend of the era, but the international community is also witnessing strong changes and unprecedented challenges.

He proposed strengthening trade to maintain the recovery and ensure bright prospects of the global economy.

Vietnam supports efforts by the international community in line with the UN Charter and international law to seek peaceful and sustainable solutions to conflicts and disputes in the Middle East, Africa and Asia, he said.

The Vietnamese PM made clear that Vietnam and ASEAN members are working closely with the international community, including ASEM member countries, to maintain peace, stability, maritime and overflight security, safety and freedom, thus ensuring that freedom of trade is not hindered in the East Sea which is a big international sea route connecting trade between Asia and Europe as well as the whole world.

He underlined the need to persistently promote joint efforts, strengthen measures to build trust and preventive diplomacy, deal with disputed in a peaceful manner in conformity with international law including the UNCLOS, respect diplomatic and legal processes, and restrain from actions complicating the situation.

He also recognised initial progress in negotiation for a Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC), highlighting Vietnam’s proposal that all parties should continue practical negotiation to soon reach the document.

The success of the 12th ASEM Summit created new motivation for the close and dynamic partnership between Asia and Europe, thus continuing to affirming the significant role of ASEM in the shaping architecture.

At a meeting on October 18 with Steven Vanackere who is also head of a group of parliamentarians from the Flemish Christian Democratic Party and a great contributor to the growth of the Vietnam-Belgium relationship, PM Phuc said the two countries have agreed upon a score of measures to step up future cooperation, including the acceleration of the signing of EVFTA, noting that the Belgian former minister has a wealth of experience in the field.

For his part, Vanackere assured his willingness to assist Vietnam in achieving the best results in this regard, adding that as a country with certain influences in the EU, Belgium has a strong voice in the signing of the trade deal.

Vietnam and Belgium hold huge potential for elevating their partnership to new heights, he said whilst highlighting Belgian enterprises’ strengths in seaports and logistics- the areas Belgium can expand its cooperation with Vietnam.

At the same time, Vietnam has well progressed in sustainable growth, while Belgium has many big businesses in science and technology, and as such the two sides should supplement each other in this field,  the former Belgian official said.

Vietnam has made great strides in sustainable development and Belgium has many leading businesses in science and technology, this giving the chance to both sides to support each other in this realm. On higher education cooperation, Belgium wants to receive more Vietnamese students, he said.

Vanackere stated that the European Council (EC)’s adoption of the free trade agreement with Vietnam indicates the union’s goodwill and aspiration to promote the deal and suggested both sides should maintain a regular exchange of information. Vietnam should provide further information on its achievements and efforts in socio-economic development, with its open and reforming government, he said.

The Vietnamese government leader agreed with Vanackere on great potential for substantial cooperation between the two countries, particularly in Vietnam’s strengths of processing industry and agriculture, and reiterated Vietnam’s readiness to import key products from Belgium.

Phuc also extolled cultural and education cooperation as Vietnam currently has 250 postgraduates studying in Belgium and the figure is expected to go up in the future, helping to improve the human resource quality of Vietnam.

He told the Belgian former FM that during his visit, the two countries’ businesses have signed many investment cooperation documents, while heads of major regions and enterprises of Belgium also showed their wish to augment mutually beneficial cooperation with Vietnam.

The EC’s approval of the EVFTA is good news and will benefit both sides, Phuc said, while affirming Vietnam’s stance on its active international integration and constant efforts in this aspect.