At the meeting, Ambassador Vu Anh Quang reviewed some outstanding achievements that the country achieved in 2018, such as record economic growth in the past 7 years and exceeding all predictions with 7.08%. ; Total import-export turnover reached an unprecedented level of 482 billion USD and foreign investment in Vietnam reached 35.5 billion USD. The contribution of overseas Vietnamese is highly appreciated with the amount of remittances sent last year reaching 15.9 billion USD.

The Ambassador also especially emphasized that during Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc’s visit to Belgium last October, Belgian leaders highly appreciated the contribution of the Vietnamese community in Belgium to economic development. , the host country’s society and full of praise for Vietnam’s exquisite cuisine.

Vietnam – Belgium relations as well as Vietnam – European Union (EU) relations in 2018 had new growth and entered into reality, especially the establishment of the Vietnam – European strategic partnership. Kingdom of Belgium in the field of agriculture.

In addition, Vietnam has signed cooperation agreements with the two largest regions in Belgium, Flanders and Wallonia. Vietnam and the EU are also promoting the signing and ratification of the Free Trade Agreement and the Investment Protection Agreement.

The Ambassador said that the relationship between Vietnam and Belgium and the EU is always a focus in the country’s foreign policy now and in the future. On the occasion of preparing to celebrate the traditional Lunar New Year 2019, the Ambassador wished all relatives, international students and Vietnamese friends in Belgium, a prosperous and healthy new year.

Speaking at the ceremony, Chairman of the General Association of Vietnamese in Belgium, Mr. Huynh Cong My, said that in addition to the annual activities that have been successfully organized with the participation of people, the General Association expects that the new year will continue. continue to encourage Vietnamese children in Belgium to participate in summer camps in Vietnam, attend Hung King’s death anniversary, establish sports clubs, organize activities for the elderly, and make charitable donations to help the disabled. disabled and people facing difficulties in the country.

Regarding foreign affairs, the General Assembly will increase exchanges with Vietnamese Associations in European countries, organizations and unions in Belgium to improve the quality of operations.

In a warm, joyful atmosphere filled with love for the homeland, the Ambassador and guests present at the ceremony raised a glass to wish for a new year filled with happiness, peace, prosperity and prosperity. Enjoy traditional Vietnamese Tet dishes together such as banh chung, spring rolls, pork rolls…

* According to a reporter from the Vietnam News Agency in Pretoria, on the afternoon of January 26, in the joy of welcoming the Spring of the Pig 2019, the Vietnamese Embassy in South Africa organized a traditional Tet with the participation of a large number of working Vietnamese people. Eat and live in South Africa, with representatives of international organizations, diplomatic corps and businesses of the host country.

Speaking at the event, Vietnamese Ambassador to South Africa Vu Van Dung reviewed outstanding domestic events in 2018 as well as major activities in the relationship between the two countries, especially the meeting between the Prime Minister of Vietnam Nguyen Xuan Phuc and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Canada in June 2018.

According to the Ambassador, 2018 is also an important milestone when Vietnam and South Africa celebrate 25 years of establishing diplomatic relations and through that, the leaders of both sides affirmed that they will continue to promote cooperation in many fields. field goes deeper, while opening up many new directions for cooperation in the coming time.

Last year was also a period of recording many achievements in Vietnam – South Africa relations. With the exchange of dozens of high-level delegations in 2018, the cooperative relationship between the two countries has been continuously strengthened and has seen strong new developments. In addition, economic relations continue to prosper with two-way trade turnover last year reaching 1.1 billion USD, an increase of 11.7% compared to 2017.

Ambassador Vu Van Dung emphasized that the Party and State of Vietnam always care about the Vietnamese community abroad in general and Vietnamese people living and working in South Africa in particular, as well as appreciating the role of the community in the work of building and protecting the Fatherland.

On the occasion of the New Year, the Ambassador wished the entire Vietnamese community living, working and studying in South Africa good health, happiness, success, and further promoting the tradition of love, care and assistance. among Vietnamese people.

In a warm and sincere atmosphere of friendship, full of brotherly comradeship, delegates attending the 2019 Spring Festival Reception together enjoyed traditional dishes, typical of the traditional Tet holiday. Vietnamese people and listen to songs and dances towards the homeland and country performed by the collective of officials, wives of representative agencies and Vietnamese people.