Vietnam and Belgium should complete negotiations and sign a programme outlining a plan for bilateral cooperation in the coming years, says Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung.

While meeting with PM Yves Leterme in Davos, Switzerland, on January 29, Mr Dung also proposed that Belgium support the signing of the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA) between Vietnam and the European Union, saying the agreement would improve relations between Vietnam, the EU and Belgium.

He thanked the Belgian government for providing its official development assistance (ODA) to Vietnam – the only Asian country to have received such aid.

Belgian-funded projects have proved efficient in Vietnam, making a practical contribution to the country’s development, he said.

He also thanked Belgium for protesting the European Union Council’s proposal to extend its anti-dumping duties on Vietnamese leather shoe imports for another 15 months.

The two PMs noted that despite the global financial and economic turmoil in 2009, trade between Vietnam and Belgium amounted to more than US$1 billion. However, they agreed that bilateral economic, trade and investment cooperation has yet to match their countries’ potential.

They also agreed that the establishment of the Vietnam-Belgium Inter-Governmental Committee will help spur bilateral economic cooperation.

The PMs shared the view that both Vietnam – the incumbent ASEAN chair - and Belgium, which will chair the European Union starting in June, should work closely together to ensure the success of the 8th Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) scheduled for August 2010.

It’s time for ASEM to extend its influence over the world, they said.

Later the same day, PM Dung chaired a briefing of the international press at the World Economic Forum (WEF) Press Centre in Davos. He delivered a speech, promoting the image of Vietnam’s land and people as well as its investment and tourism potential.

He also delivered the message of the WEF on East Asia that Vietnam will host this year, and highlighted the country’s role as ASEAN Chair in 2010.

(VOV)