Chinh also suggested Belgium encourage its businesses to increase its investment in Vietnam, especially in the fields of its strength such as digital transformation, renewable energy, logistics, seaport development, and strategic infrastructure. He requested Belgium support the European Commission (EC) to soon remove the ‘yellow card’ imposed on Vietnamese seafood.
De Croo for his part acknowledged Chinh’s proposals and said Belgium would promote the early adoption of the EVIPA agreement. He affirmed that the EU – Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) is an important driving force in promoting economic - trade relations between the two sides. He highly appreciated Vietnam’s efforts in sustainable fisheries transformation, and said Belgium would forward Vietnam’s proposal regarding the removal of the ‘yellow card’ to the EC.
The two leaders agreed on measures to comprehensively promote the Vietnam – Belgium cooperation, including deepening bilateral cooperation within the framework of their Strategic Partnership on Agriculture, and ramping up cooperation in investment, trade and other fields.
They acknowledged the encouraging results in agriculture cooperation after five years of implementing their Strategic Partnership on Agriculture.
Chinh requested that Belgium help to support the development of the circular economy model in agriculture, and to respond to saltwater intrusion and drought in the Mekong Delta, while at the same time supporting the implementation of the 2021-2030 National Strategy on Green Growth towards sustainable development and climate change adaptation.
The two sides agreed to promote a tripartite cooperation mechanism with African countries, with financial and logistical support from Belgium, to jointly deal with food security problems in the world.
De Croo expressed Belgium’s willingness to assist Vietnam with finance and technology to fulfill its climate commitments, especially in developing renewable energy technology and supporting industries. He also proposed both sides set up a joint working group to outline specific cooperation projects within the Strategic Partnership on Agriculture.
The two sides agreed to expand bilateral cooperation in the other fields of defense - security, education - training and culture, including organizing a Culture Day in each country to increase mutual understanding, people-to-people exchanges, tourism, as well as promoting collaboration to tackle global challenges.
Chinh took the occasion to invite De Croo to visit Vietnam in 2023 in celebration of 50 years of diplomacy between Vietnam and Belgium.
The two PMs exchanged views on regional and international issues of mutual concern and affirmed Vietnam and Belgium would continue to closely coordinate and support each other at multilateral forums and organizations, including the UN Human Rights Council of which both are members in the 2023-2025 term.
Discussing the East Sea issue, the two sides reaffirmed the importance of ensuring peace, stability, security, safety and freedom of navigation and overflight in the waters, as well as settling disputes by peaceful means, in accordance with international law, especially the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
After the talks, the two PMs witnessed the signing of a number of cooperation documents between the two countries, in the fields of agriculture, marine economic development, food safety, and the carbon market development.
