Vietnamese, Belgian PMs hold phone conversation

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Belgian counterpart Alexander De Croo shared the need to ensure global equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines during their phone conversation on Wednesday.

The two PMs also underlined the need for mutual support in terms of vaccines as vaccination is the key to overcome the pandemic.

PM Pham spoke highly of Belgium’s positive contributions to the COVAX Facility and expressed thanks for Belgium’s valuable support for Viet Nam’s COVID-19 fight over the past time.

He suggested the Belgian Government land a voice to step up COVAX vaccine allocations to Viet Nam at the earliest, prioritize donating or reselling vaccines and providing medical supplies to help Southeast Asian country control the pandemic soon.

The two sides underscored the need to continue solidify cooperation and mutual support at multilateral forums and international organizations like the UN, ASEAN, the Francophonie, ASEAN-EU among others, and to further coordinate closely over regional and international issues.

Regarding the East Sea, the two PMs affirmed the importance of maintaining peace, stability, security, safety and freedom of navigation and aviation, peacefully settling disputes on the basis of international law, including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, fully and effectively implementing the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC), and working toward conclusion of a substantial and effective Code of Conduct in the East Sea.

PM Pham took the occasion to invite Belgian PM Alexander De Croo to visit Viet Nam soon to discuss ways to foster the bilateral ties.