Hanoi, April 2, 2025 – The Europe Today: Party General Secretary Tô Lâm welcomed Belgian King Philippe, Queen Mathilde, and a high-level Belgian delegation to Việt Nam on Tuesday. This marks the first state visit between the two nations at the head-of-state level since they established diplomatic relations in 1973.
In his welcome address, General Secretary Lâm expressed his confidence that this visit, accompanied by senior officials, business leaders, and academics, would provide new momentum for strengthening the friendship and multifaceted cooperation between Việt Nam and Belgium. He highlighted the significance of this partnership in contributing to peace, stability, and sustainable development in both regions and globally.
The Party leader praised the contributions of King Philippe and Queen Mathilde to Belgium’s socio-political life, noting their role in maintaining unity in diversity. He also thanked Belgium for its enduring support during Việt Nam’s struggle for national independence and for the royal couple’s personal contributions to enhancing bilateral relations.
General Secretary Lâm commended the positive development of Việt Nam-Belgium relations and emphasized the importance of deepening cooperation in areas such as trade, sustainable agriculture, human resource training, and cultural exchanges. He called for further collaboration in science, technology, and innovation to help Việt Nam achieve its 2030 and 2045 development goals.
King Philippe noted the geographical similarities between Belgium and Việt Nam, emphasizing that the two countries should work together as gateways for one another’s regions. He agreed with Lâm on the need to continue strengthening bilateral cooperation and addressing global challenges such as climate change and environmental concerns.
Both leaders acknowledged the contributions of Vietnamese experts trained in Belgium, stressing the importance of fostering further tourism and trade exchanges. Lâm urged Belgium to ratify the EU-Việt Nam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) to help enhance investment flows.
The Belgian monarch praised Việt Nam’s industrialization and modernization achievements, which he has witnessed during his multiple visits. He expressed strong support for increasing high-level exchanges and enhancing cooperation in various sectors, including education, security, renewable energy, health care, and environmental protection, especially in mitigating the consequences of Agent Orange/dioxin.
The two sides agreed to collaborate closely in international and regional forums to promote multilateralism, the rule of law, and international responsibility in addressing both regional and global challenges, including issues in the East Sea.
