President Truong Tan Sang on Mar. 12 met visiting Belgian Crown PrincePhilippe, welcoming the prince’s coming back after nine years.

President Sang asked the two sides to continue exchanging delegations at high levels in order to cement the relationship.

Hethanked the Belgian Government for putting Vietnam high on its listof official development assistance (ODA) recipients, and for itssupports of Vietnam at international and regional forums.

Sangspoke highly of Belgium ’s support towards Vietnam instrengthening its comprehensive relationship with the European Union,particularly in the removal of the anti-dumping tax on Vietnameseleather-capped shoes imported by the European Union market.

Forhis part Crown Prince Philippe affirmed Belgium would supportVietnam in information technology, transport infrastructure,environmental protection and health care.

He also expressed hope that Vietnam would be a bridge for Belgian enterprises to other Southeast Asian countries.

Thesame day, Belgian Crown Prince Philippe was also received by PrimeMinister Nguyen Tan Dung who affirmed that Vietnam would consistentlyconsolidate the partnership with Belgium in every field.

Hesaid the two Governments should create favourable conditions forenterprises from both sides to meet and learn investment opportunities.

He affirmed Vietnam would effectively use Belgium ’s ODA funding in meeting socio-economic development targets.

ThePM was pleased to see the economics and commerce ties between Vietnamand Belgium had witnessed a strong progress with the two-way tradeturnover of 1.6 billion USD last year.

On his part, Crown PrincePhilippe expressed his wish to boost cooperation with Vietnam on thefields of Belgium ’s strengths, including green technology, renewableenergies, and space sciences among others.-VNA