Viet Nam urges Belgium to ratify EVIPA soon

VGP – Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh urged Belgium to soon ratify the EU-Viet Nam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) during his meeting with Speaker of the Belgian House of Representatives Eliane Tillieux in Brussels on Thursday.

December 16, 2022 4:50 AM GMT+7

Pham called on Belgium to support the EU's early removal of "yellow card" against Vietnamese seafood exports and assist Viet Nam in human resource development.

The Government chief also called for Belgium's financial and technological assistance for developing renewable energy and supporting industry.

Pham conveyed Chairman of the National Assembly Vuong Dinh Hue's invitation to Tillieux to visit Viet Nam in 2023.

For her part, Tillieux said EVIPA is a top priority and internal discussions are underway to ratify it, adding that many Belgian investors are keen to expand operations in Viet Nam.

She highly values Viet Nam's efforts to switch to sustainable fishing practices, and agreed with Prime Minister Pham's proposals to deepen the framework of bilateral strategic partnership on agriculture, saying that she is interested in sustainable agriculture cooperation and welcomes collaboration to cope with global supply chain disruption and ensure global food security.

The Belgian leader also expressed readiness to enhance coordination with Viet Nam in implementing initiatives and global commitments to overcoming climate change challenges.

Both sides agreed to strengthen the exchange of delegations at all levels between the two countries' legislative bodies, and coordinate and support each other at regional and international parliamentary forums./.