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| Vietnamese Ambassador to Belgium Nguyen Van Thao grants an interview to Vietnam News Agency__Photo: VNA |
The European Union (EU) always affirms that Vietnam is an important partner in the region, Vietnamese Ambassador to Belgium and head of the Vietnamese Delegation to the European Union (EU) Nguyen Van Thao told Vietnam News Agency in a recent interview.
The interview took place ahead of Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha’s trip to Brussels to attend the Global Gateway Forum from October 25-26 at the invitation of President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen.
Thao said it will be the first time the EU has held the forum with topics covering sustainable development, energy transition, health care, education and connecting the EU with countries in the region, which match Vietnam's priorities and interests.
According to him, the forum will attract considerable interest from countries, especially those in Central Asia, Europe, and Africa, during which Ha will deliver a keynote speech on green transformation and energy transition, a topic to which Vietnam is strongly committed on the global stage.
Vietnam's attendance and Deputy PM Ha's speech will reaffirm that Vietnam is a responsible member joining in addressing critical issues alongside the world. It also reiterates the Government's determination and specific actions in fulfilling commitments made at the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP 26) in Glasgow, the UK, in 2021.
The ambassador expressed his belief that via the event, cooperation between the EU and Vietnam will grow remarkably, especially in areas of Vietnam’s interest.
The event will afford the Vietnamese side a chance to share experience and discuss joint work with countries globally to deal with common issues, he said.
As part of the event, a cooperation agreement will be signed between the European Investment Bank (EIB) and the Vietnamese Ministry of Finance, a concrete step taken by Vietnam in implementing the Just Energy Transition Partnership established in 2022 with G7 countries and the EU.
Thao revealed that the EU highly values the agreement signing between EIB and Vietnam, adding that other sessions on digital infrastructure, education, and health care also create opportunities to enhance cooperation between Vietnam and the EU and other countries around the world.
He added that EU leaders and officials will hold meetings with Deputy PM Ha and his entourage, demonstrating the EU's high regard for its relationship with Vietnam.
The diplomat expressed his belief that with the promotion of cooperation between Vietnam and the EU in new areas such as green development, sustainability, digital economy and blue economy, their collaboration will yield even better outcomes.-(VNA/VLLF)
