Ambassador Paul Jansen (left) and Ambassador Nguyen Phuong Nga.

The "For Peace and Friendship Among Nations" insignia is the highest award of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations to recognize and honor Ambassador Paul Jansen's valuable contributions during his tenure in Vietnam.

Speaking at the ceremony, Ambassador Nguyen Phuong Nga said that Belgium was one of the Western countries that soon established diplomatic relations with Vietnam (March 22, 1973). Over the past 50 years, the relationship has developed very well in many fields. The two countries have strengthened close cooperation within the framework of multilateral forums such as the United Nations, Francophonie, ASEM, and ASEAN.

She emphasized: "The Kingdom of Belgium was among the very first Western countries to establish diplomatic relations with Vietnam (March 22, 1973). Over the last 50 years, the relations between the two countries have witnessed significant achievements in various fields. More regular exchange of high-ranking delegations, especially the latest visit to Belgium by Vuong Dinh Hue, Chairman of the National Assembly of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam (November 2021) has created important momentum for expanding the bilateral cooperation both in breadth and in dept.

She also reaffirmed Jansen's important contributions in fostering Vietnam - Belgium relations at the federal, regional, and community levels, especially in strengthening the ties between the Vietnamese National Assembly and the Belgian Parliament.

"Ambassador Paul Jansen has played an important role in promoting discussion and signing EVFTA and EVIPA. He has worked with many provinces and cities to enhance cooperation in the field of port harbor, high-tech agriculture, clean and renewable energy, management capacity and green development," said Ambassador Nguyen Phuong Nga.

Belgian Ambassador to Vietnam Paul Jansen.

Ambassador Paul Jansen also worked closely with the Vietnam-Belgium Friendship Association and VUF, actively participating in the organization of friendship, cooperation, and people-to-people exchanges such as The program "Vietnam - Belgium Cultural and Economic Exchange: European Impressions in the Port City" with the participation of many businesses and cultural activists of the two countries (October 2019)/ In November 2020, he presented to 6,200 preschool children in Central land provinces within the framework of the Program "Reducing barriers to learning activities of preschool children of ethnic minorities living in disadvantaged districts" with a budget of 4,142,000 EUR, implemented by the Flemish - Belgium relations.

Ambassador Paul Jansen expressed his honor to receive the insignia from the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations and affirmed that the VUFO plays an important role in strengthening the bilateral relationship between Vietnam and Belgium. He thanked Ambassador Nguyen Phuong Nga and all of his Vietnamese friends for their support. On a multilateral scale, the outgoing diplomat expressed his wish that the people-to-people exchanges between the two countries continue to develop in the future.

Ambassador Paul Jansen and Ambassador Nguyen Phuong Nga (middle) taking photos with the staff from VUFO and Belgium Embassy in Hanoi at the ceremony.

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