Against a backdrop of considerable untapped potential, the official visit to Belgium by General Secretary of the Communist Party of Viet Nam Central Committee and President To Lam is expected to provide fresh impetus for cooperation in trade, investment, science and technology, innovation, high-quality human resources training, logistics and green growth.
Just two months after the signing of the Paris Agreement on Ending the War and Restoring Peace in Viet Nam, Viet Nam and Belgium established diplomatic relations on March 22, 1973. Over the past half-century, the two countries have achieved significant milestones while continuously strengthening their friendship and cooperation. Reflecting on this long journey of relationship-building, King Philippe of Belgium emphasized that Viet Nam-Belgium relations harmoniously connect the past, present and future, drawing strength from the mutual understanding fostered by previous generations and the two countries’ longstanding cooperation.
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Belgium promotes initiatives to support Agent Orange victims in Viet Nam. (Photo: Embassy of Belgium in Viet Nam) |
This close friendship has been demonstrated through numerous practical actions. Belgium has provided valuable support to Viet Nam in its past struggle for national independence and continues to support the country’s development today.
A notable example came in October 2023, when the Belgian Chamber of Representatives adopted a resolution calling for support for Vietnamese victims of Agent Orange. This marked the first time a parliament anywhere in the world had adopted a resolution specifically addressing Agent Orange victims, helping raise international awareness of their plight and calling on countries to provide assistance.
In terms of development assistance, Belgium has provided Viet Nam with nearly 300 million USD in concessional loans and non-refundable aid since 1977. The assistance has focused on water resource management, institutional strengthening, administrative reform, education, and agriculture.
The close friendship and strong political trust between the two countries provide a solid foundation for expanding cooperation across multiple fields. Belgium is Viet Nam’s sixth-largest trading partner within the E.U., while Viet Nam is Belgium’s largest trading partner in ASEAN. Belgium has not only actively promoted the signing and ratification of the E.U.-Viet Nam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA), but has also been among the leading countries in implementing the agreement, making an important contribution to bilateral economic, trade and investment cooperation.
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Viet Nam exports a range of key products to Belgium, including footwear, computer equipment, textiles and garments, and seafood. |
Agricultural cooperation stands out as a major highlight of Viet Nam-Belgium relations. The two countries established a strategic partnership in agriculture in October 2018. They are now implementing numerous technical cooperation programs involving agricultural universities and research institutes, while developing inland waterway logistics systems to support agricultural exports from Viet Nam to Europe. Other areas of cooperation include smart cold-chain logistics, cocoa industry development and food safety.
Building on their strategic partnership in agriculture, Viet Nam and Belgium have an opportunity to expand cooperation into new, more specialized areas, including green and smart agriculture and climate change adaptation.
The potential for further bilateral cooperation remains considerable. As the host of the headquarters of numerous E.U. institutions, Belgium is often described as the “heart” of Europe. It is also home to the Port of Antwerp, one of Europe’s major maritime gateways, making the country an important hub for trade between Viet Nam and the E.U.
For its part, Viet Nam, thanks to its advantageous geographical location and increasingly prominent role in global supply chains, is regarded as a strategic gateway connecting ASEAN with the wider world. Against this backdrop, logistics, seaports and the development of strategic infrastructure represent areas with substantial untapped potential for cooperation between the two countries. Harnessing these opportunities would help deepen bilateral ties and deliver tangible benefits to the people and business communities of both countries.
With a solid foundation of fruitful cooperation built over the years, coupled with the determination of both countries’ leaders and peoples, Viet Nam-Belgium relations are poised to seize new development opportunities and become increasingly substantive and effective.
Translated by Song Anh