At these meetings, which took place separately on the sidelines of the on-going eighth Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) in Brussels, Belgium, Luxembourg, Belgian, Dutch and Japanese Prime Ministers spoke highly of Vietnam ’s economic achievements, referring especially to the country’s macro-economic stability.

They expressed their please with developments in their respective countries’ relationship with Vietnam and hoped to further deepen bilateral economic and trade ties with the country.

These PMs said they expected Vietnam, as the current ASEAN Chair, to help promote their countries’ relationship with ASEAN.

The PMs also discussed regional and international issues of mutual concerns as well as bilateral coordination at regional and multilateral forums.

During their meeting, PM Dung and Dutch Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende signed an agreement on strategic partnership in response to climate change and State management.

PM Dung highlighted the agreement for providing the grounds for Vietnam and the Netherlands to reinforce their cooperation in water resources management, space planning and dyke construction and enable Vietnam to step by step address changes caused by climate change and sea water rising.

The Dutch PM said the two countries have cooperated well not only in dealing with climate change, but also in the fields of investment, trade, development, education and training.

While meeting with PM Dung, Luxembourg Prime Minister Jean-Claude Juncker said his country regards Vietnam as a partner and a priority in its cooperation and development policy.

He affirmed that his country will maintain its aid to Vietnam in the 2011-2015 period, focusing on healthcare, education and training and sustainable development and that it wants to step up cooperation with Vietnam in air transportation and metallurgy.

He pledged to receive Vietnamese students to study banking and finance in his country.

Meanwhile, Belgian Prime Minister Yves Leterme suggested that the Belgium-Vietnam Inter-governmental Committee for Economic Cooperation and Development would soon meet to approve orientations for the two countries’ cooperation in the 2011-2015 period.

He also suggested that the two countries beef up collaboration in the treatment of wastewater and hazardous wastes, seaport construction, cosmos aviation, and climate change.

The Belgian PM said he will consider increasing scholarships for Vietnamese students.

At their meeting, PM Dung and his Japanese counterpart Naoto Kan highly valued the enrichment of the two countries’ cooperation and friendship in a wide range of fields.

They affirmed to continue to work closely to further strengthen and elevate the Vietnam-Japan strategic partnership for the interests of their peoples, and for peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and the world./.

The two PMs talked about the two countries’ coordination at the upcoming 17th ASEAN Summit in Hanoi, Vietnam, and the 18th APEC Summit in Yokohama , Japan./.