Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc lauded the growing ties between Việt Nam and the Flanders region of Belgium during a reception in Brussels on Wednesday for the regional Minister-President Geert Bourgeois.— VNA/VNS Photo Thống Nhất

BRUSSELS — Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc lauded the growing ties between Việt Nam and the Flanders region of Belgium during a reception in Brussels on Wednesday for the regional Minister-President Geert Bourgeois.

The Vietnamese PM said Flemish firms are working effectively in Việt Nam in seaports and logistics, renewable energy and mining, making important contributions to bilateral ties. 

He asked the minister and authorities from the region to facilitate bilateral links and to uphold their role as a bridge for Vietnamese goods to enter Europe and other markets.

Hailing Việt Nam as a leading partner in Southeast Asia for Flanders, Bourgeois affirmed the visit by PM Phúc will create a new milestone in the development of Việt Nam-Belgium and in particular Việt Nam-Flanders ties. 

He thanked the Vietnamese Government, ministries and agencies for their hospitality during his visit in May 2018 and stressed Flanders wants to double bilateral trade and foster ties across research, education-training and transportation. 

Bourgeois said Flanders supports the signing and ratification of the European Union-Việt Nam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA), considering it a great opportunity to develop trade and investment between Việt Nam and the EU, as well as between the country and Flanders. 

Following the meeting, both sides witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding on co-operation between Flanders and the Vietnamese Government.

At a reception with Minister-President of Belgium’s Wallonia region Willy Borsus on Tuesday, Phúc highlighted Việt Nam attaches great importance to co-operation with Belgian regions, including Wallonia.

He lauded Wallonia for choosing Việt Nam as a place to open a representative office in 1996. 

The PM welcomed effective joint projects in healthcare, culture, arts, vocational training, environmental protection and heritage protection – all towards contributing to socio-economic development in Việt Nam, including poverty reduction. 

The leader wished Belgium’s major businesses will continue investing in Việt Nam, adding the country will offer all possible support to them in the process. 

Borsus, for his part, said Wallonia considers Việt Nam a priority partner in the region. He discussed promising fields of co-operation, such as farm produce processing and foodstuffs. 

He noted regional authorities support the early signing and approval of the EVFTA to boost trade and investment between Việt Nam and Belgium, as well as between Việt Nam and Wallonia. 

The minister hailed Vietnamese nationals in Belgium for their contributions to socio-economic development in the host country. — VNS