General Secretary of the Communist Party of Viet Nam Central Committee and President To Lam met with Speaker of the Senate Vincent Blondel and President of the House of Representatives Peter De Roover on Friday afternoon during his official visit to Belgium.
The Belgian parliamentary leaders warmly welcomed General Secretary and President To Lam and the high-ranking Vietnamese delegation. They described the visit as significant at a time when bilateral relations are at their strongest and said it would help consolidate political trust and generate fresh momentum for bilateral ties.
The parliamentary leaders praised Viet Nam's socio-economic achievements and growing international standing. They affirmed their high regard for friendship with Viet Nam and their wish to strengthen cooperation with the Vietnamese National Assembly.
The Belgian leaders announced that the House of Representatives had voted to approve the EU-Viet Nam Investment Protection Agreement EVIPA on the night of October 22, on the eve of the meeting. They described the move as tangible evidence of the two countries' determination and potential to expand economic, trade and investment cooperation.
General Secretary and President To Lam welcomed the ratification of EVIPA and noted that King Philippe had personally conveyed the good news to him on October 23. He expressed confidence that the agreement would create more favourable conditions for cooperation, particularly between businesses from the two countries.
The Vietnamese leader also expressed profound gratitude for the House of Representatives' adoption in October 2023 of a resolution supporting Vietnamese victims of Agent Orange. The Belgian House was the first and so far only foreign legislative body to adopt such a resolution. To Lam said the gesture had deeply moved the Vietnamese people and reflected friendship, humanitarian spirit and sincere solidarity with Viet Nam's efforts to address the consequences of war.
Both sides welcomed increasingly close cooperation at all levels, from high-ranking leaders and governments to legislatures, localities, businesses and citizens.
The Belgian parliamentary leaders also praised Viet Nam's visa exemption policy, which allows Belgian citizens to stay for up to 45 days. They said it helps promote mutual understanding and people-to-people exchanges.
Both hosts and guest agreed that parliamentary cooperation plays an important role in bilateral relations.
Referring to the cooperation agreement signed in February 2025, General Secretary and President To Lam called for its effective implementation through exchanges of delegations and contacts between parliamentary leaders and specialised agencies, sharing legislative and supervisory experience, promoting the role of parliamentary friendship groups, and closer coordination at multilateral parliamentary forums.
He noted that despite positive growth, bilateral trade remains below the level warranted by the two countries' political ties, potential and advantages. With favourable conditions and seaport connectivity in place, Viet Nam and Belgium should expand cooperation beyond cargo transportation into investment, economic development and other fields, particularly following the approval of EVIPA.
He also called on the Belgian parliamentary leaders to support the early elevation of bilateral relations to a new level and facilitate economic and investment cooperation, with science, technology and innovation as a priority area.
The Belgian leaders expressed support for stronger partnerships, including in cargo transportation and maritime security.
On the occasion, General Secretary and President To Lam conveyed National Assembly President Tran Thanh Man's cordial greetings and invitation to visit Viet Nam to the Belgian Senate Speaker and House President.
Sources: Viet Nam News
