Overview of the meeting. Photo: VNA

President of the Chamber of Representatives of Belgium Éliane Tillieux on Novermber 7 hosted a reception in Brussels on Tuesday for Vietnamese Ambassador to Belgium Nguyen Van Thao and representatives from the Collectif Vietnam Dioxine Association and the Belgium-Vietnam Friendship Association (BVFA).

Speaking at the meeting, Speaker of the House of Representatives Éliane Tillieux highly appreciated the cooperation between the National Assembly of the two countries in many fields in recent times.

Tillieux expressed her joy when the resolution to support Vietnamese victims of Agent Orange received 100% approval from all Belgian political parties, showing concern for victims of Agent Orange in Vietnam and around the world, as well as the enormous risks to the environment caused by this toxic chemical.

This is a testament to the solidarity of the Belgian Parliament towards the victims as well as the sustainable goals. They were the first parliament to demand that the use of ecocides be considered a crime against humanity.

The President of the Chamber of Representatives emphasized that the good relations between Vietnam and Belgium will continue not only through diplomacy and parliamentary diplomacy, but also through resolutions and decisions made in the National Assembly, which will have a strong impact on Vietnam's future.

Vietnamese Ambassador to Belgium, Nguyen Van Thao appreciated the support and great efforts of the Belgian Parliament in passing the resolution.

This is a meaningful action on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Belgium.

The Ambassador affirmed that the Resolution will help increase awareness of the Agent Orange issue and call on the international community to support victims.

On behalf of the Vietnamese people, Ambassador Nguyen Van Thao pledged that the Vietnamese Embassy would coordinate with the Belgian side to promote cooperation to support victims of Agent Orange.

The Belgian resolution is the first step towards future resolutions to promote specific cooperation with Vietnam, demonstrating Belgium's political participation and commitment.

Vietnamese French Tran To Nga was emotional when the resolution to support victims of Agent Orange was passed by the Belgian National Assembly. She said this resolution gives her a lot of strength in the fight for justice for victims of Agent Orange.

President of the Chamber of Representatives of Belgium Éliane Tillieux (right) talks with Vietnamese French Tran To Nga, a victim of Agent Orange during the Vietnam War. Photo: VNA

The Belgian National Assembly's resolution will motivate other countries to take similar action, with the French Senate also preparing to hold a meeting to discuss this issue.

Tran To Nga hopes that if the French National Assembly does the same as the Belgian National Assembly, 2024 will be a victory in the struggle of victims of Agent Orange.

Belgian lawmaker André Flahaut emphasized that there must be specific actions to implement the resolution. In the immediate future, the Belgian side will contribute technology to detoxify dioxine-contaminated soil in Vietnam.

The resolution will also contribute to promoting political parties around the world to join the fight against the use of chemical substances in warfare.

President of the Chamber of Representatives of Belgium Éliane Tillieux also affirmed that the international community is clearly aware of the damage caused by Agent Orange that still exists today.

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