Overview of PM Phuc’s visit to Belgium

Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel hosted a welcoming ceremony for PM Phuc at the Palais d'Egmont Palace on the afternoon of October 16.

PM Charles Michel invites his guest to step up onto the podium in front of both national flags before the national anthems of the two countries are played.

After the welcome ceremony, the two PMs hold talks, during which the leaders agree to enhance economic partnerships and maintain cooperation mechanisms, such as the Vietnam-Belgium Joint Committee.

The PMs emphasize the need to work together to create conditions for connecting Vietnamese and Belgian partners, especially in fields Belgium holds strength and Vietnam has demand for, namely transportation, seaports, logistics services, green technology, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, and renewable energy.

The two leaders co-chair the press conference following their talks. The Belgian PM says Belgium supports Vietnam’s candidacy as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for 2020-2021.

The two PMs witness the signing of some cooperation documents between agencies and businesses of the two countries, covering agriculture, food safety, seaport and other spheres.

During the visit, PM Phuc meets Belgium King Philippe,

President of the Chamber of Representatives Siegfried Bracke,

and also former Foreign Minister Steven Vanackere, who is also head of a group of parliamentarians from the Flemish Christian Democratic Party and a great contributor to the growth of the Vietnam-Belgium relationship.

The Vietnamese Government leader attend the Vietnam EU-Belgium Business Forum.

The involvement of roughly 200 Belgian, Vietnamese and EU businesses at the forum shows their intense interest in seeking opportunities for business cooperation.

PM Phuc visits the Vietnamese Embassy in Brussels where he meets with embassy staff, representatives from the overseas Vietnamese community and Vietnamese students in Belgium.

An estimated 13,000 Vietnamese people live in Belgium, most of whom are in the capital city Brussels.

The two sides issue a joint statement, agreeing to further deepen cooperation ties in all fields, especially in agriculture.