Vietnam and Belgium emphasize the importance of a strategic partnership in agriculture

Vietnam and Belgium strengthen agricultural cooperation

On the morning of April 1st, after the official welcome ceremony, President Luong Cuong had a meeting with King Philippe of Belgium. During the meeting, the two leaders discussed major cooperation directions between the two countries, aiming to deepen, strengthen, and make the Vietnam-Belgium friendship more substantive and effective.

On this occasion, President Luong Cuong expressed gratitude to Belgium for the approval of the Belgian Parliament's Resolution on supporting victims of agent orange in Vietnam. He emphasized the importance of this resolution for Vietnam and called for both countries to actively implement it in the coming time, contributing to raising international awareness about the consequences of agent orange in Vietnam.

Regarding economics and trade, a key pillar of the Vietnam-Belgium relationship, the two leaders agreed to continue effectively implementing the Vietnam-EU Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA).

President Luong Cuong proposed that Belgium soon ratify the Vietnam-EU Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) in order to promote an equal and mutually beneficial investment relationship between the two countries' businesses. He also encouraged Belgian businesses to increase investments in Vietnam, especially in areas where Belgium has strengths, such as high technology, renewable energy, digital transformation, and strategic infrastructure.

The President also called on Belgium to use its voice to urge the European Commission (EC) to lift the "yellow card" on Vietnam's seafood exports. King Philippe of Belgium expressed his desire for Belgian businesses in sectors such as wastewater treatment, energy, and the extraction of rare minerals to participate in investment activities in Vietnam.

The two leaders emphasized the importance of implementing the framework of the Strategic Partnership on agriculture through the development of circular agricultural models, smart agriculture, and enhancing the transfer of technology between research institutions and training centers in agriculture, forestry, and aquaculture. This will contribute to Vietnam's efforts in addressing climate change, especially in the Mekong Delta region. They agreed to explore the possibility of establishing an agricultural cooperation program between Vietnam and the regions of Belgium.

Both sides agreed to strengthen cooperation in key areas such as agriculture, education and training, culture and tourism, defense and security, science and technology, local cooperation, while also expanding into other potential fields such as green technology, artificial intelligence, innovation, high-tech industries, and the promotion of the startup ecosystem. They emphasized the importance of training high-quality human resources, particularly in emerging sectors like the semiconductor industry.

President Luong Cuong expressed gratitude to Belgium for its ongoing support and attention to the Vietnamese community living, working, and studying in the country. He urged Belgian authorities at all levels to continue creating favorable conditions for the community’s successful integration into Belgian society, so they can contribute to the country's development while also strengthening the friendly cooperative relations between the two nations. The President highlighted the role of the Vietnamese diaspora as a key bridge to further enhance bilateral ties.

Regarding regional and international issues of mutual concern, the two sides affirmed the significance of promoting multilateralism and upholding international law as the foundation of global cooperation. They stressed the importance of peacefully resolving disputes in the South China Sea, in line with the principles of the United Nations Charter and international law, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) 1982. Both leaders emphasized that ensuring peace, stability, security, and freedom of navigation and overflight in the region is critical to maintaining global cooperation and prosperity for all nations.

Vietnam and Belgium cooperate on meteorology, hydrology and climate change

After the talks, President Luong Cuong and King Philippe of the Kingdom of Belgium witnessed the ceremony for the signing of cooperation documents between ministries, sectors, and agencies of both countries. In recent years, economic and trade relations between Vietnam and Belgium have developed rapidly and have been increasingly strengthened.

Belgium is currently Vietnam's 6th largest trading partner in the EU. The bilateral trade turnover has surged, growing from 1.8 billion USD in 2013 to 4.45 billion USD in 2024. Regarding investment, as of January 2025, Belgium has 99 active investment projects in Vietnam, with a total registered capital of 1.06 billion USD, ranking 25th out of 149 countries and territories investing in Vietnam.

President of Vietnam, Luong Cuong, and King Philippe of Belgium witnessed the exchange of a Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation between the Vietnam Institute of Meteorology, Hydrology and Climate Change and the Flanders Research and Technology Organization. The exchange was carried out by Vietnam's Minister of Agriculture and Environment, Do Duc Duy, and the Belgian Minister of Flanders responsible for Brussels and the Press, Cieltje Van Achter.

In addition, Vietnam's Minister of Culture, Sports, and Tourism, Nguyen Van Hung, and the Minister-President of the Brussels-Capital Region, Rudi Vervoort, exchanged documents on the cooperation program for the 2025-2027 period between the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism of Vietnam and the Brussels-Capital Region.

President of Vietnam, Luong Cuong, and King Philippe of Belgium witnessed the exchange of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Vietnam Trade Promotion Agency and the Flanders Investment and Trade Agency, the Wallonia Export-Investment Agency, and the Brussels Enterprise Support Agency. This exchange was conducted by Vietnam’s Minister of Industry and Trade, Nguyen Hong Dien, along with the Minister-President of the Brussels-Capital Region, Rudi Vervoort; the Minister-President of Wallonia, Adrien Dolimont; and the Belgian Minister of Flanders responsible for Brussels and the Press, Cieltje Van Achter.

At the ceremony, Lieutenant General Nguyen Huu Chinh, Chairman of the Vietnam Association of Victims of Agent orange/Dioxin, and the Minister-President of the Brussels-Capital Region, Rudi Vervoort, exchanged the Memorandum of Understanding between the Vietnam Association of Victims of Agent Orange/Dioxin and the Belgian Aquitara Impact Fund 1.