Friendship get-together marks Belgium’s 186th National Day
Diplomats and Vietnamese alumni of Belgian universities gathered in a friendship get-together held by the Vietnam-Belgium Friendship Association (VBFA) in Hanoi on July 20 to celebrate 186 years of Belgium’s independence (July 21, 1831).
Belgian Ambassador to Vietnam Jehanne Roccas. (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – Diplomats andVietnamese alumni of Belgian universities gathered in a friendship get-togetherheld by the Vietnam-Belgium Friendship Association (VBFA) in Hanoi on July 20to celebrate 186 years of Belgium’s independence (July 21, 1831).
Addressing the event, Deputy Minister ofEducation and Training and VBFA President Pham Manh Hung said the friendshipget-together is an annual event designed for those who love Belgium to meet,share information and seek business partnerships, dedicated to promotingfriendship between the two governments and peoples.
Vietnam-Belgium relations have deepenedthrough VBFA’s people-to-people diplomacy activities, including delegationvisits, friendship get-togethers, celebration ceremonies, photo exhibitions andmore, Hung noted.
He affirmed that the VBFA will hold morefriendship events, including seminars, workshops, training courses, experienceexchanges and other events to develop the network of Vietnamese alumni inBelgium.
Belgian Ambassador to Vietnam Jehanne Roccas,for her part, said 2018 will mark the 45th anniversary of the twocountries’ diplomatic ties and highlighted fruitful cooperation in multiplefields, ranging from economy, development to academy and research.
Two-way trade has increased in recent years,with Belgium the sixth largest exporter and eighth biggest buyer of Vietnam inthe European Union, she said, adding that Belgium has invested 600 million EURinto Vietnam.
Education andtraining cooperation is a success story with about 2,000 Vietnamese studying inBelgium and another 2,000 graduated from an integrated educational programmepartnered with Belgium’s Solvay Brussels School of Economics and Management inVietnam, the ambassador said.-VNA
Vietnam’s economic and trade development as well as the country’s advantages in attracting investment were introduced to Belgian enterprises at a conference in Belgium’s southern Mons city on May 10.
The Vietnamese Students Association in Belgium (SIVIBI) on June 25 convened its third congress to review activities during 2014-2017 and set out orientations for the next three years.
A drainage system of North Cho Lau town centre, Bac Binh district, the central province of Binh Thuan, built with Belgium’s financial aid, was inaugurated on July 7.
The resolution on such mechanisms aims to serve as a legal basis for opportunely dealing with difficulties and hindrances caused by legal regulations in important, priority, and urgent areas that require immediate settlement so as to unlock resources, facilitate economic development, and turn legislation into a competitive edge.
PM Pham Minh Chinh instructed chairpersons of the People’s Committees of provinces and centrally-run cities to strictly follow the Ministry of Finance's guidelines on handling public finances and budgets, with a focus on preventing wastefulness, misconduct, or corruption.
Knapper reaffirmed the US's commitment to supporting a strong, independent, prosperous and resilient Vietnam, while respecting each other’s territorial integrity, sovereignty, independence and political systems.
Vietnam is deeply concerned about the escalating and complex conflict in the Middle East, which poses a serious threat to the lives and safety of civilians, as well as to regional and global peace and stability.
The Vietnamese Embassy advises the Vietnamese community living, studying, and working in Israel to strictly comply with directions from the Home Front Command and local authorities.
Lawmakers are set to vote on revisions and amendments to a broad spectrum of legal frameworks and impactful resolutions during the final week of the 15th NA's 9th session.
The State Committee for Overseas Vietnamese Affairs (SCOVA) has served as a bridge connecting and uniting the community with the homeland, becoming a trusted source of support for Vietnamese expats in times of hardship.
The programme to eliminate temporary and dilapidated houses has achieved notable results, with nearly 263,000 housing units addressed to date, including 225,000 houses inaugurated and 38,000 under construction. Thirty-eight provinces and cities across the nation have already fulfilled their targets.
Stronger efforts and determination are required to achieve and surpass the set targets, especially in the eradication of makeshift and dilapidated houses nationwide, the acceleration of public investment disbursement, and the implementation of nationally important transport projects, PM Pham Minh Chinh noted.
The trip will be made at the invitations of Chinese Premier Li Qiang and WEF President and CEO Børge Brende, according to an announcement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Long spoke highly of the dynamic, positive, and comprehensive development of Vietnam – Russia relations in recent years. He affirmed that the Vietnamese Party and State place great importance on further strengthening the comprehensive strategic partnership with Russia in a substantive and effective manner, in line with the development needs of both nations.
At the conference, participants reported that the Government has so far issued 28 decrees on the delegation of responsibilities and powers between the central Government and two-tier local administrations. Several localities have already piloted the new governance model.
Reality is the ultimate benchmark for success, he said, urging drafting agencies to work out policies that foster development, reduce bureaucratic hurdles, and respect practical conditions.
Under the official dispatch signed on June 20, ministers, heads of ministerial-level agencies, and chairpersons of provincial and municipal People’s Committees are requested to concentrate efforts on implementing core measures to ensure the smooth operations of the new administrative framework.
The Party chief underscored the need for the press to innovate relentlessly, evolve to keep pace with the country's development, transform into a truly professional, humanistic, and modern sector that serves the cause of the Party, the State, and the people on the path to national construction and development.
The UN Secretary-General praised Vietnam’s remarkable achievements in socio-economic development and international integration in recent years, noting that the country has emerged as a model in implementing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), promoting international peace and security, and engaging in key UN processes.
Nghia affirmed that this is a milestone of special significance, affirming and honouring the the Vietnamese revolutionary press’s glorious tradition of 100 years of serving the revolutionary cause of the Party, serving the Fatherland, and serving the people.
The Party and State of Vietnam always attach great importance to and give top priority to the development of Vietnam–China relations. Vietnam is ready to work with the Chinese Party and State to further deepen the Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership and promote the building of the Vietnam-China community with a shared future that carries strategic significance.
Belgian Ambassador to Vietnam Jehanne Roccas. (Photo: VNA) 
