At the talks between Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte in Hanoi on November 2 (photo: VOV)

At their talks in Hanoi during the Dutch Prime Minister’s ongoing visit to Vietnam, Prime Minister Chinh spoke of the high value of the sincere friendship and trustful partnership between Vietnam and the Netherlands. He affirmed that the two countries are determined to cooperate with each other for common self-reliance and sustainable development.

He said: “The Dutch Prime Minister’s visit to Vietnam is of great significance, delivering a strong message about the two countries’ determination to create new momentum to deepen the Vietnam-Netherlands comprehensive partnership and make it more effective and practical. It can open opportunities to expand cooperation in new areas, especially in digital transformation, green transformation, the circular economy while positively contributing to peace, stability, and development throughout the region and the world."

The Prime Minister said the delegation of Dutch high-tech businesses accompanying the Prime Minister on this visit will open a new chapter in extensive and effective economic cooperation between the two countries in the coming years.

Rutte affirmed that Vietnam is a prioritized and important partner of the Netherlands in the Indo-Pacific region with a relationship which began more than 400 years ago when merchant vessels of the Netherlands docked at Hoi An port in Vietnam.

Affirming that the economy and trade are important pillars in their bilateral ties, they agreed to continue and realize fully the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA).

Prime Minister Chinh suggested that the Netherlands support the European Commission (EC)’s removal of the “yellow card” against Vietnam’s seafood exports, ratify the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) soon, and encourage Dutch firms to invest more in Vietnam in the fields of high technology, its seaports, and strategic infrastructure.

Prime Minister Rutte underlined that Dutch enterprises value Vietnam’s political stability and favorable business investment environment. He agreed to speed up the ratification of the EVIPA, spoke highly of Vietnam’s efforts to develop sustainable fisheries, and pledged to work with other EU members to support Vietnam in this field.

The two sides showed support for the ensuring of maritime and aviation security and safety as well as the peaceful settlement of disputes in line with international law, especially the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and the negotiations on a substantial and effective Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC) between ASEAN and China.

Following the talks, the two Prime Ministers witnessed the exchange of cooperation agreements among ministries, sectors and associations of the two countries in the areas of sustainable exploration and exploitation of important minerals, customs, investment, and trade.