The Prime Ministers of Vietnam and the Netherlands agreed on many strategic cooperation issues.

Ngay sau Lễ đón trọng thể, Thủ tướng Chính phủ Phạm Minh Chính đã tiến hành hội đàm với Thủ tướng Mark Rutte. Ảnh: VGP/Nhật Bắc

Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte warmly welcomed Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and the high-ranking Vietnamese delegation, emphasizing that the two countries' relations have a long history of nearly 400 years and expressing his belief that the visit will bring the two countries' relations to a new stage of deeper and stronger development. Prime Minister Mark Rutte also shared his special feelings and good impressions of his official visits to Vietnam in 2014 and 2019; and expressed his appreciation for the warm and hospitable welcome of the Vietnamese Government and people. Prime Minister Mark Rutte also sent his warm regards to the senior leaders of Vietnam.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh thanked Prime Minister Mark Rutte for the warm and respectful reception, as well as his special feelings towards Vietnam; thanked the Government and people of the Netherlands for supporting vaccines and medical equipment, helping Vietnam to soon repel the pandemic and recover and develop the economy and society. Affirming his determination to work with the Netherlands to promote the Comprehensive Partnership between the two countries, the Prime Minister respectfully invited Prime Minister Mark Rutte to visit Vietnam in 2023, on the occasion of the two countries celebrating the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations, and conveyed the greetings of General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, President Nguyen Xuan Phuc and National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue to Prime Minister Mark Rutte.

In an open, sincere, trusting and frank atmosphere, the two Prime Ministers had a comprehensive discussion on the socio-economic development situation of each country, bilateral relations and regional and international issues of mutual concern. Prime Minister Mark Rutte highly appreciated Vietnam's early control of the pandemic and impressive results in socio-economic recovery and development; affirmed the importance of Vietnam's position and important role in the Netherlands' policy towards the Indo-Pacific region.

The Prime Ministers of Vietnam and the Netherlands agreed on many strategic cooperation issues. Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac

The two Prime Ministers expressed their delight at the positive developments in the Comprehensive Partnership in recent times, with regular visits and exchanges between high-ranking leaders of the two countries; agreed to increase delegation exchanges at all levels, especially high-level ones, through State, Government and National Assembly channels and effectively implement bilateral cooperation mechanisms; and expressed satisfaction with the strong development of trade and investment cooperation, making the Netherlands Vietnam's second largest trade partner in Europe and the largest investor among EU countries investing in Vietnam.

The two leaders agreed to continue effectively implementing the Vietnam - EU Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA), and jointly promote the two countries to become transit centers for goods in the two regions. Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh asked the Netherlands to soon ratify the Vietnam - EU Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA); encouraged Dutch businesses to increase investment in Vietnam in the Netherlands' strong fields such as seaports, shipbuilding technology, logistics connectivity, and strategic infrastructure; asked the Netherlands to support the European Commission (EC) in soon removing the IUU yellow card for Vietnam's seafood exports, and support Vietnam in building seaports, airports, and innovation centers following the Brainport model; and proposed that the two sides soon sign a labor cooperation agreement.

Prime Minister Mark Rutte affirmed that the EVFTA is an important driving force to promote economic relations between the two countries; emphasized that Dutch businesses are increasingly interested in Vietnam, a country with political stability and a favorable investment and business environment; highly appreciated Vietnam's efforts to develop sustainable fisheries, and supported the European Commission (EC) to soon remove the IUU yellow card.

The two leaders agreed to promote and deepen bilateral cooperation within the framework of the Strategic Partnership on Climate Change Adaptation and the Strategic Partnership on Sustainable Agriculture. The Netherlands is ready to share its experience, knowledge, technology and preferential loans to help Vietnam develop sustainable agriculture, logistics systems, green transformation, biodiversity protection and water management, especially in the Mekong Delta.

The two Prime Ministers witnessed the signing of a Joint Statement between the Vietnamese Ministry of Industry and Trade and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of the Netherlands on cooperation in reducing emissions in production and consumption. Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac

The Prime Minister proposed that the Netherlands support Vietnam in building an ecological, modern, and smart agriculture; the Dutch Government provide financial and technological support for human resource training within the framework of the "Just Energy Transition Partnership" (JETP) on the basis of ensuring harmony of interests, to help Vietnam respond effectively and fulfill its commitments on climate change; and support Vietnam in developing a circular economy.

Prime Minister Mark Rutte affirmed that he would promote cooperation in developing renewable energy, support Vietnam in offshore sand mining technology, prevent landslides, and amend the Law on Water Resources in Vietnam; at the same time, welcomed Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh's proposal for the two sides to establish a tripartite cooperation mechanism on agriculture and food security, to respond to supply chain disruptions and contribute to the common effort to address global food security issues.

The two sides agreed to expand cooperation in security - defense, culture - tourism, transportation, science - technology, education - training, continue to support each other at multilateral forums such as the ASEAN - EU cooperation framework, ASEM, United Nations... The Prime Minister proposed promoting cooperation between localities such as between Hanoi - Amsterdam, Ho Chi Minh City - Rotterdam; proposed the Netherlands increase scholarships for Vietnamese students to study at Dutch universities.

The two Prime Ministers witnessed the signing of the Joint Action Plan on Water Resources Management between the Vietnamese Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and the Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Resources. Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac

Regarding the East Sea issue, the two sides reaffirmed the importance of ensuring peace, stability, security, safety and freedom of navigation and aviation in the East Sea, resolving disputes by peaceful means on the basis of international law, emphasizing the important significance of the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

Also at the meeting, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh asked the Dutch Government to continue creating favorable conditions for the Vietnamese community, which is an important bridge in the friendly relations between the two countries, successfully integrating and contributing to the socio-economic development of the Netherlands.

After the talks, the two Prime Ministers witnessed the signing ceremony of a number of cooperation documents between the two countries on climate change response and university training./.