Vietnam highly appreciated cooperation with Wallonia-Brussels, considering it as part of the bilateral relationship between Vietnam and Belgium, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Ho Xuan Son said. The official made the statement yesterday when he welcomed the visiting Governor of the Wallonia region and French-speaking community of Belgium, Rudy Demotte, who is in Vietnam on a six-day trip starting April 8.

The governor’s visit takes place during a time when Vietnam and Belgium are celebrating their 40th anniversary of diplomatic ties, Son said, adding that Vietnam highly appreciates the Wallonia authority’s policy to prioritize its relations with Vietnam.

The Belgian governor said he was very impressed at the socio-economic achievements gained by Vietnam, and that he highly valued the bilateral cooperation in the framework of the Francophone organization.

During their talk, the two sides agreed to expand cooperation in economics, transport, aeronautics and space, science and technology. They also said links between localities in Vietnam and Wallonia will further be fostered.

The Belgian governor is scheduled to attend meetings with a number of Vietnam’s ministries, and pay visits to Da Nang City in central Vietnam and Ho Chi Minh City in southern Vietnam over the following days of his trip. The Federation Wallonia-Brussels, officially known as the French-speaking Community of Belgium, is one of the three federated communities of the Federal State of Belgium.