(VOvworld) – Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung begins official visits to Belgium and the EU on December 2 after attending the 21st Conference of Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP21) in Paris.

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung’s is visiting the EU and Belgium to promote already successful cooperative sectors and generate momentum for new cooperative opportunities. During his visit, the EU and Vietnam will officially conclude the signing of the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement.

Maintaining high-level dialogues

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung is scheduled to meet President of the European Commission Jean-Claude Junker, President of the European Council Donald Tusk, and President of the European Parliament Martin Schulz. They will discuss cooperation opportunities in energy, green growth, and vocational training. Vietnam and the EU will officially announce the conclusion of negotiations and sign the Vietnam-EU Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) after 14 rounds of negotiation over 5 years.

In Brussels, Prime Minister Dung will meet with his Belgian counterpart Charles Michel to discuss major orientations and specific measures to foster bilateral relations and boost cooperation in economics, trade, investment, seaports, logistics, transport, green technology, high-technology, aviation, aerospace, and education.

Be ready for a new level of cooperation

Belgium-Vietnam diplomatic relations were established in 1970 and have progressed steadily over the years. Belgium is Vietnam’s dynamic and effective partner at regional and global forums like the UN and ASEM. Belgium is a major investor in Vietnam. Localities of both countries have cooperated closely in a number of sectors. Vietnam and Belgium have worked together in the multilateral cooperative framework to address global issues like security, climate change, and resilient development.

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung’s visit to the EU coincides with the 25th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic relations, the ratification of the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA), and the signing and ratification of the Vietnam-EU Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA). The PCA is a framework agreement on fundamental regulations, content, scale, and forms of cooperation for comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and the EU in all sectors. The EVFTA is an important legal document regulating economic, trade, and investment relations between Vietnam and the EU, creating a free and favorable environment for enterprises and investors of both sides. The EVFTA will generate more investment and trade opportunities, improve the business environment, and maximize benefits for entrepreneurs and the public.