Foreign affairs bustle in the middle of August, a historic autumn

During this “longest” visit, Senate President Stéphanie D'Hose greeted President Vo Van Thuong, met with Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, held talks with National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue, worked with Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son and visited several localities including Quang Tri, Hue and Ho Chi Minh City.

For the President of the Belgian Senate, the visit was a great opportunity to explore the S-shaped country as well as the potential for cooperation between the two countries in general and between the two parliamentary bodies in particular. Through dozens of meetings and experiences in four localities during the five-day visit, she was especially impressed by the patriotism and dynamic development of the Vietnamese people.

When talking with President Vo Van Thuong, Ms. Stéphanie D'Hose commented, "Vietnamese people are probably the most hospitable and friendly people in the world ". The visit helped her understand more about the country and people of Vietnam, thereby increasing her desire to promote cooperation between the two countries, especially in trade, investment and business connections.

In fact, Belgium is an important economic and trade partner of Vietnam in the European Union (EU). After three years of implementing the Vietnam - EU Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA), trade between Vietnam and the EU has grown positively. Belgium is a gateway for Vietnamese goods to enter the European market and is also an enthusiastic supporter of the EVFTA.

At the talks, National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue assessed that the potential for cooperation between the two countries in trade and investment is still very large. In the context that countries are increasing their investment supply chains, the two sides need to continue to cooperate in existing supply chains and establish new supply chains. The National Assembly Chairman suggested that Belgium create favorable conditions for Vietnamese exports to access the Belgian and EU markets, especially seafood and traditional agricultural products such as rice and coffee; promote equitable energy transition, digital transformation; renewable energy, financial services - banking, logistics, etc.

The visit of the head of the Belgian Senate is also an opportunity for Vietnamese leaders to "send" to the country known as the "heart of Europe" their wish to urge the Belgian Parliament to quickly ratify the Investment Protection Agreement between Vietnam and the EU (EVIPA) so that it can soon come into effect or to support the European Commission to soon remove the "yellow card" for Vietnamese seafood (IUU) taking into account the reality as well as Vietnam's commitment to sustainable development.

Ms. Stéphanie D'Hose said that Belgium is actively promoting and believes that EVIPA will soon be ratified before the end of this Parliament's term. Regarding the IUU "yellow card", she highly appreciated the efforts of Vietnam and the EU in resolving this issue and "revealed" that she had sent a message to member countries to find a solution soon.