Vietnam, Belgium pledge to elevate ties to strategic partnership level

Vietnam's General Secretary and President To Lam met with Belgium's Minister-President of Flanders, seeking to strengthen ties between the two countries across multiple sectors. During the meeting, Vietnam's top leader urged Flanders to back the early elevation of Vietnam-Belgium relations to a strategic partnership framework, signaling Hanoi's ambition to deepen its engagement with Belgium and the European Union.

Economic cooperation featured prominently in discussions, with Vietnam's leadership calling on Flanders to take a leading role in promoting bilateral trade and investment ties. The Vietnamese side specifically encouraged Belgian businesses to expand their investment presence in Vietnam, highlighting opportunities in key sectors of the Southeast Asian economy.

The talks also addressed the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA), a critical instrument for safeguarding mutual economic interests. Vietnam's top leader requested Belgian support for the swift completion of ratification procedures and effective implementation of the agreement, underscoring its importance for long-term business confidence between the two nations.

The high-level engagement reflects both countries' commitment to broadening cooperation beyond traditional diplomatic channels. As a key EU member state, Belgium's role in facilitating closer Vietnam-EU relations remains significant for Hanoi's strategic positioning in Europe.

Photo: Vietnamese leader To Lam at the Presidential Palace in Hanoi, July 2024. Minh Hoang / European Union via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 4.0).