Vietnam's top leader begins historic EU and Belgium diplomatic visits

General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and President To Lam, accompanied by his spouse Ngo Phuong Ly and a high-level delegation, touched down in Brussels on the evening of October 21 (Hanoi time). The visits were undertaken at the invitations of European Council President Antonio Costa and Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever.

The diplomatic missions represent a key opportunity to strengthen Vietnam's bilateral relationships with both Belgium and the broader European Union. High-level delegations typically use such occasions to advance political dialogue, explore economic partnerships, and identify areas of mutual cooperation.

Vietnam and Belgium have historically maintained robust trade and investment ties, with European expertise potentially offering valuable insights for Vietnam's development priorities. Among areas of potential cooperation flagged by Vietnamese officials are quantum technology development and other advanced technological sectors where the EU holds significant experience and resources.

The visits underscore Vietnam's commitment to deepening engagement with European partners at both institutional and bilateral levels, amid evolving geopolitical dynamics in the Asia-Pacific region.

Photo: To Lam (right) meets EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell in Hanoi, July 2024. Minh Hoang / European Commission Audiovisual Service via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 4.0).