National Assembly Chairman attends the ceremony to celebrate the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and the Netherlands

This is also the opening event of the Vietnam - Netherlands Diplomatic Year. Also attending were: Minister of Infrastructure and Water Management of the Netherlands Cora van Nieuwenhuizen; representatives of the Royal Family, ministries and sectors of the Netherlands; ambassadors and representatives of diplomatic agencies of several countries in the Netherlands.

National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan speaks at the ceremony celebrating the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and the Netherlands.

Speaking at the ceremony, National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan expressed her joy at leading a high-ranking delegation of the Vietnamese National Assembly to pay an official visit to the beautiful, friendly, prosperous and hospitable country on the occasion of the two countries celebrating the 45th anniversary of diplomatic relations.

On behalf of the Vietnamese State leaders, the NA Chairman thanked the Minister of Infrastructure and Water Management of the Netherlands Cora van Nieuwenhuizen; representatives of the Royal Family, ministries and sectors of the Netherlands; ambassadors and representatives of diplomatic agencies of several countries in the Netherlands for attending the ceremony, expressing their affection and concern for Vietnam, for the good relationship that has been built and nurtured by many generations of people over the years.

The Netherlands was one of the first European countries to establish diplomatic relations with Vietnam in 1973. Over the past 45 years, the Vietnam-Netherlands cooperative relationship has continuously developed in all fields. The two countries have become strategic partners in extremely important areas for both countries, namely the Strategic Partnership on Climate Change Adaptation and Water Management.(signed in 2010)and Strategic Partnership on Food Security and Sustainable Agriculture(signed in 2014).

The Chairman of the National Assembly stated that the achievements in the cooperative relationship between the two countries were not only achieved in 45 years but were a continuation of the relationships that existed more than 400 years ago, when Dutch merchant fleets docked at Hoi An port in Vietnam to trade rice, pepper, and rice, starting the trade connection between the two countries, contributing to promoting trade between the two continents of Asia and Europe.

According to the Chairman of the National Assembly, that dynamic spirit of Dutch businessmen is being continued in the new context, when the Netherlands is affirming its position as the leading European partner in investment and trade in Vietnam with many successful names, such as: Heineken, Damen, Unilever, Friesland Campina, Philips... Together with Vietnamese partners, they have been actively contributing to the socio-economic development and international integration of Vietnam, while contributing to development cooperation for the benefit of the people of the two countries.

The strategic sectoral cooperation between Vietnam and the Netherlands has created new, broad and profound frameworks, laying the foundation for developing cooperation in all relevant fields, such as: marine economy, infrastructure, agriculture, defense, education, etc. Emphasizing this, the NA Chairman also informed the delegates attending the Ceremony about Vietnam's extensive reform efforts in all fields.

Vietnam is becoming and will become an important link in the vast economic network in the world, especially in the context of the formation of the ASEAN Economic Community and the Vietnam - EU Free Trade Agreement about to be ratified and come into effect. On this development path, Vietnam has received valuable support from the Netherlands, through many development cooperation programs since the establishment of diplomatic relations, such as: Orio, Niche... On behalf of the Government and people of Vietnam, the Chairman of the National Assembly thanked the Government and people of the Netherlands for giving Vietnam such valuable assistance.

The Chairman of the National Assembly affirmed that, on the basis of a trustworthy friendship, shared political determination, potential and need for cooperation, compatible interests and economic support, the good relationship between the two countries will continue to bear fruit. The Chairman of the National Assembly believes that cultural and artistic exchange activities, investment and trade promotion forums held in the Netherlands and Vietnam in 2018 will contribute to bringing the two countries closer together, and Dutch friends will know more about a Vietnam that is developing strongly in terms of economy and deeply integrating internationally, but still preserving its traditional national identity.

Dutch Minister of Infrastructure and Water Management Cora van Nieuwenhuizen speaks at the Anniversary Ceremony

Speaking at the ceremony, Dutch Minister of Infrastructure and Water Management Cora van Nieuwenhuizen expressed her pleasure to welcome National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan to the Netherlands on an official visit on the occasion of the two countries celebrating the 45th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations and attending the ceremony.

Recalling the long history of the Vietnam - Netherlands relationship that began more than 400 years ago and the good development in the current period, the Minister of Infrastructure and Water Management of the Netherlands affirmed that Vietnam and the Netherlands have many similarities to further promote bilateral cooperation.

Both countries have strong agricultural development, are coastal countries, and have strategic positions in the delta region in the region; both face challenges of climate change and subsidence prevention... Both countries are also exploiting new opportunities for sustainable development and achieving many successes.

Minister Cora van Nieuwenhuizen said that the current period is truly an exciting time for the Vietnam - Netherlands relationship; affirming that the Netherlands really wants to maintain close cooperation with Vietnam towards the development of a sustainable and prosperous Mekong Delta region. Minister Cora van Nieuwenhuizen expressed her wish to visit the beautiful country of Vietnam; the two countries continue to share experiences and practices in the development process; further strengthen the constructive and dynamic relationship between the two countries in the coming time.

At the ceremony, Vietnamese Ambassador to the Netherlands Ngo Thi Hoa presented Chairwoman of the National Assembly Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan and Minister of Infrastructure and Water Management Cora van Nieuwenhuizen with a special edition of “Special issue on 45 years of Vietnam - Netherlands diplomatic relations”. The edition was published by the Vietnamese Embassy in the Netherlands with a message of pride about the cooperation results that the two countries have achieved in recent times.