Vietnamese Ambassador to Belgium and head of the Vietnamese Delegation to the European Union (EU) Nguyễn Văn Thao in an interview with a reporter of Vietnam News Agency. — VNA/VNS Photo

BRUSSELS — The European Union (EU) always sees Việt Nam as an important partner in the region, Vietnamese Ambassador to Belgium and head of the Vietnamese Delegation to the European Union (EU) Nguyễn Văn Thao told Vietnam News Agency in a recent interview.

The interview took place ahead of Deputy Prime Minister Trần Hồng Hà’s trip to Brussels to attend the Global Gateway Forum from October 25-26 at the invitation of President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen.

Thao said it would be the first time the EU holds the forum with topics covering sustainable development, energy transition, health care, education and connecting the EU with countries in the region, that match Việt Nam's priorities and interests.

He believes the forum will attract considerable interest from countries, especially those in Central Asia, Europe, and Africa, during which Hà will deliver a keynote speech on green transformation and energy transition, a topic to which Việt Nam is strongly committed on the global stage.

Việt Nam's attendance and Deputy PM Hà's speech will reaffirm that Việt Nam is a responsible member joining in addressing critical issues alongside the world. It also reiterates the Government's determination and specific actions in fulfilling commitments made at the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP 26) in Glasgow, the UK, in 2021.

The ambassador expressed his belief that via the event, cooperation between the EU and Việt Nam would grow remarkably, especially in areas of Việt Nam's interest.

The event would afford the Vietnamese side a chance to share experiences and discuss joint work with countries to deal with common issues, he said.

As part of the event, a cooperation agreement will be signed between the European Investment Bank (EIB) and the Vietnamese Ministry of Finance, a concrete step taken by Việt Nam in implementing the Just Energy Transition Partnership established in 2022 with G7 countries and the EU.

Thao revealed that the EU highly valued the agreement signing between EIB and Việt Nam, adding that other sessions on digital infrastructure, education, and health care would also create opportunities to enhance cooperation between Việt Nam and the EU and other countries around the world.

He added that EU leaders and officials would hold meetings with Deputy PM Hà and his entourage, demonstrating the EU's high regard for its relationship with Việt Nam.

The diplomat expressed his belief that with the promotion of cooperation between Việt Nam and the EU in new areas such as green development, sustainability, digital economy and blue economy, their collaboration would yield even better outcomes. — VNS