In a recent interview granted to the Vietnam News Agency, the diplomat said the tour is to continue affirming Vietnam's foreign policy of being an active and responsible member of the international community.
According to the diplomat, the upcoming trip by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, along with recent effective high-level external activities by the Party and State leaders, have shown that Vietnam is a responsible member that is willing to have initiatives and solutions to contribute practically and effectively to the stability and development in the region and the world.
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Vietnamese Ambassador to Belgium and Luxembourg Nguyen Van Thao (left) and E.C. President Ursula von der Leyen |
Leaders of the E.U. and a number of its member countries are looking forward to meeting the Vietnamese leader in order to discuss and share global and regional issues of common concern, including promoting global trade and investment, global economic connection, climate change, energy and food security, marine economic development, sustainable development, and green and digital economy.
The E.U. considers Vietnam an important partner of the region, which has made certain successes in economic development as well as in controlling the COVID-19 pandemic. With many initiatives, Vietnam is expected to make more active contributions in the coming time.
These reaffirm the increasing prestige and position of Vietnam in the international arena, Ambassador Nguyen Van Thao noted.
Vietnam is one of four Asian countries that have a free trade agreement (FTA) with the E.U. In the last two years when the COVID-19 pandemic raged, two-way trade between Vietnam and the E.U. has still increased. Therefore, the E.U. is looking forward to further promoting trade cooperation with Vietnam in order to address the disruption of the global supply chain in recent times.
In addition, climate change is a high priority for the E.U. and the union also highly valued Vietnam's commitment at the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) in Glasgow of the U.K. last year, and the Southeast Asian nation’s action plan and great determination in this field.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and E.U. leaders will discuss issues related to food security, energy security, marine economy and circular economy, which Vietnam is very interested in, while the E.U. has experience and strengths.
For Luxembourg, Vietnam wants to promote cooperation in financial market development because the country boasts extensive experience in the financial sector, Ambassador Nguyen Van Thao said.
Vietnam will focus on promoting cooperation in agriculture and hi-tech development with Belgium as it has advantages in farm produce export and is also a leading hi-tech center in Europe.
Belgium also boasts strengths in logistics, seaport and renewable energy. So the country is very eager to cooperate with Vietnam in these sectors, Ambassador Nguyen Van Thao said.
The embassy will organize various activities to connect Vietnamese and Belgian firms, thus promoting cooperation opportunities towards setting up partnerships, he went on.
As part of the trip, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh will lead a high-ranking delegation of Vietnam to attend a summit commemorating the 45th anniversary of the ASEAN - E.U. relations in Brussels on December 14.
Source: VNA