Deputy Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son (R) welcomes Minister-President of Belgium’s Flanders region Geert Bourgeois on May 14 (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) - Permanent Deputy Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son received Minister-Presidentof Belgium’s Flanders region Geert Bourgeois in Hanoi on May 14.
At the reception, the two sides expressed their delight at the comprehensiveand practical developments of Vietnam-Belgium relationship since the twocountries set up diplomatic ties 45 years ago, especially cooperation between theirlocalities.
Son spoke highly of the collaboration between Vietnam and the Flanders region,with investment projects in infrastructure, energy and agriculture.
Welcoming the Flanders Minister-President’s visit to Vietnam from May 13-17,Son said that the two sides see many advantages to develop cooperation in thetime to come, especially in such priority areas as infrastructure, renewableenergy, agriculture, food industry, human resources training, digital economyand trade.
For his part, Geert Bourgeois appreciated Vietnam’s efforts in improvingbusiness and investment environment as well as its socio-economic development achievements,considering them important premises to boost win-win collaboration betweenVietnam and the Flanders region.
He affirmed that Flanders always regards Vietnam as a priority partner in the region,suggesting a number of fields that the two sides can join hands in the future,including port logistics, transport, farm produce processing and training.
The Minister-President affirmed his support for trade liberalisation and vowedto back Vietnam to strengthen its comprehensive relationship with the EU,particular the early signing and ratification of the EU-Vietnam Free TradeAgreement (EVFTA) in 2018.
The early implementation of the EVFTA will bring practical benefits tobusinesses of both sides, he noted.
At the meeting, the two sides agreed to soon sign a new cooperation document toreplace the old one, which was inked in 2013.-VNA
Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and his Belgian counterpart Charles Michel exchanged letters of congratulations on the occasion of the 45th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties on March 22.
Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Nguyen Xuan Cuong has paid a four-day trip to the European Union and Belgium to boost cooperation and share Vietnam’s efforts to fight IUU fishing.
The relationship between Belgium and Vietnam is developing fruitfully, Belgium’s King Philippe told Vietnamese Ambassador to Belgium Vu Anh Quang who came to present his credentials.
The Belgian Vietnamese Alliance (BVA) and the Flanders Investment and Trade (FIT) held a meeting on May 3 with a delegation of Belgian businesses ahead of the delegation’s visit to Vietnam from May 13-18 to explore cooperation opportunities.
Belgian culture will be brought closer to Hanoians through the event “A Touch of Belgium” to be held by the Belgian Embassy at the Ly Thai To Statue Garden on May 12 to mark the 45th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
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.
Under the leadership of President Ho Chi Minh and the CPV, President Cuong said, the press has been a steadfast force on the ideological and cultural front, rallying the masses to pursue national aspirations.
NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man stressed the need to accelerate the application of artificial intelligence and smart teaching equipment, innovate teaching and assessment methods, and further improve the quality of formal education.
He also pledged that the NA will promote its ongoing supervision, making sure that every promise must lead to results, and every commitment must bring about real changes.
Deputy Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son (R) welcomes Minister-President of Belgium’s Flanders region Geert Bourgeois on May 14 (Photo: VNA) 
