Trong made the statement on January 18 at his meeting with President of the Belgian Chamber of Representatives Andre Flahaut and President of the Belgian Senate Sabine De Bethune in Brussels, who described Trong’s official visit as an important milestone in the developing cooperation between the two countries.

The two sides expressed their delight at the expanding bilateral ties between Viet Nam and Belgium.

They agreed that the two countries’ legislative bodies should strengthen high-ranking meetings and all-level delegation exchanges in the future to share their experiences in law and decision making.

This will deepen the two countries’ relations in the year they are celebrating the 40th anniversary of diplomatic ties, and create momentum for cooperation in economics, trade and investment, and coordination at international forums.

The President of Belgian Chamber of Representatives valued Viet Nam’s achievements during its renovation cause, as well as its role in the region and the world, and expressed his hope that as a coordinator between ASEAN and the EU, the country will help boost cooperation between the two regions.

In a meeting on the same day with Mayor of Brussels Freddy Thielemans, Trong said Viet Nam highly values its education and training cooperation with Brussels, with many universities in the city holding close ties with institutions in Viet Nam.

Abundant cooperation potential in culture, science and technology, urban management and the environment remains between the sides, he said, adding that he hopes the Mayor will continue to pay more attention to strengthening the two sides’ cooperation in these fields.

He said he hopes Brussels will encourage and create favourable conditions for its businesses to invest in Viet Nam, help Viet Nam in personnel training and broaden its direct ties with Viet Nam’s localities.

Hailing Trong and the Vietnamese high-ranking delegation’s visit, Mayor Thielemans spoke of the city’s history and culture, and its dynamic development process and goals.

He also conveyed his hope to further bolster the city’s friendship and cooperation with Vietnam, and highly valued the contributions of the Vietnamese community in Brussels, which he described as dynamic and friendly.

The same day, Hoang Binh Quan, Head of the CPV Central Committee’s Commission for External Relations, met a delegation from the Belgian Workers’ Party led by Joe Cottenie, member of the Politburo for media relations, to discuss ways to promote the friendship between the two parties in the future.

At the same time, Deputy Defence Minister Nguyen Chi Vinh met Belgian Minister of Defence Pieter De Crem to seek measures to boost cooperation between the two ministries.