The potential of Vietnam-Belgium relations in particular, and Vietnam-EU in general, remains enormous, thanks to the solid foundations of existing cooperation in various fields.

Vietnam gives priority to its relations with the EU. Photo: AP

Head of the Party Central Committee’s Economic Commission Tran Tuan Anh stressed the view at the meetings with European and Belgium leaders during his visit to the country from August 16-19.

He stressed the main goal of bolstering the comprehensive Vietnam-EU relations and the strategic partnership between Vietnam and Belgium in the field of agriculture.

According to Tuan Anh, both sides shared the same view on development objectives and the benefits of responding to traditional and non-traditional security challenges amid growing global uncertainties.

He briefed his EU counterparts on Vietnam’s strategies and needs for socio-economic development, especially in core fields such as energy transition, green growth, digital transformation, maritime economy, financial market, services, climate change, and economic independence.

Leaders of the EU and Belgium welcomed the visit of the Vietnamese delegation, noting the event would deepen relations between Vietnam and the EU, as well as between Vietnam and Belgium.

They highlighted the rising status of Vietnam on the global stage, and consider the country a key partner for the EU in the region.

Since the launch of the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) in August 2020, bilateral trade has been on the steady rise and hit $57 billion last year, or an increase of 14.5% year-on-year.

Both the EU and Belgium representatives stressed their commitments to push for the ratification of the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) among EU members, expected to boost cooperation with Vietnam in priority fields including climate change, sustainable energy transition, green growth, digital economy, innovation, maritime security and economy, logistics and development of new supply chains.

Meanwhile, representatives of the European Commission suggested Vietnam support the EU in concluding its negotiation for a free trade agreement with the ASEAN; join hands in addressing new challenges in the region and  the world.