The talks between PM Pham Minh Chinh and PM Mark Rutte in The Hague on December 12. (Photo: VNA)Welcoming his guest’s official visit, PM Rutte stated thatthe Netherlands attaches importance to Vietnam’s important stature and role inits policy towards the Indo-Pacific region.
The two PMs expressed their delight at the progress in theircountries’ comprehensive partnership as seen in frequent visits and discussionsbetween senior leaders of Vietnam and the Netherlands.
They agreed to increase the exchange of all-level delegations between the States, Governments, and parliaments of the two countries, andeffectively implement bilateral cooperation mechanisms.
They noted with satisfaction the vigorous growth of bilateraltrade and investment ties, which has turned the Netherlands into the second largestEuropean trading partner and the biggest EU investor of Vietnam.
Both host and guest concurred in continuing to effectivelyimplement the EU - Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) and developing the twocountries into transit centres for goods in their respective regions.
PM Chinh proposed the Netherlands to soon ratify the EU - VietnamInvestment Protection Agreement (EVIPA); encourage Dutch businesses tostep up investment in the fields they are strong at in Vietnam such as seaport,shipbuilding, logistics, and infrastructure connectivity; support the EuropeanCommission’s removal of its IUU “yellow card” warning against Vietnam’s aquatic product exports; and assist theSoutheast Asian nation to build seaports, airports, and innovation centres.
The Vietnamese Government leader also suggested the two sides ink a labour cooperationagreement soon.
PM Rutte described the EVFTA as an importantimpetus for bilateral economic relations, stressing that Dutch businesses arepaying more and more attention to Vietnam, which boasts political stability andan optimal investment and business climate.
He also spoke highly of Vietnam’s efforts to sustainablydevelop the fishery industry and also voiced his support for the EuropeanCommission’s early removal of the “yellow-card” warning.
PM Pham Minh Chinh (behind, second from left) and his Dutch counterpart Mark Rutte (behind, first from right) witness the signing of a joint statement on emission reduction in manufacturing and consumption between the Vietnamese Ministry of Industry and Trade, and the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs. (Photo: VNA)The Netherlands is ready to share experience, knowledge,technology, and concessional loans to help Vietnam develop sustainableagriculture and the logistics system, boost green transition, protectbiodiversity, and manage water resources, especially in the Mekong Delta,the Dutch PM said.
PM Chinh proposed the Netherlands to assist Vietnam to developeco-friendly, modern, and smart agriculture; provide aid in terms of finance,technology, and manpower training within the Just Energy Transition Partnershipon the basis of harmonious interests to help Vietnam effectively cope with climatechange and realise climate commitments; and support the country in developing acircular economy.
PM Rutte pledged to foster cooperation in renewable energy developmentand give assistance in term of offshore sand mining technology, land erosionprevention, and amendment of the Law on Water Resources.
He also welcomed his guest’s proposal on the establishment ofa trilateral cooperation mechanism on agriculture and food security to dealwith supply chain disruptions and contribute to common efforts to resolve theglobal issue of food security.
The two sides agreed to expand cooperation in security-defence, culture-tourism, transport, science-technology, and education-training while continuing to support each other at multilateral forums like theASEAN-EU cooperation, the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM), and the United Nations.
The Vietnamese leader also called for stronger locality-to-localitycollaboration such as between Hanoi and Amsterdam, and between Ho Chi Minh Cityand Rotterdam. He asked the Netherlands to increase scholarships for Vietnamesestudents learning at its universities.
Regarding the East Sea issue, the two PMs reaffirmed theimportance of ensuring peace, stability, security, safety, and freedom ofnavigation and overflight in the East Sea, and resolving disputes by peaceful measures on the basis of international law. They also underlined the significance of the 1982UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
Also at the talks, PM Chinh suggested the Dutch Government to createmore favourable conditions for the Vietnamese community so that they cancontribute to the two countries’ friendship and the Netherlands’ socio-economic development.
Following the talks, the PMs witnessed the signing of somecooperation documents, including a joint action plan on water resourcesmanagement between the Vietnamese Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, and the Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Resources, and a jointstatement on emission reduction in manufacturing and consumption between theVietnamese Ministry of Industry and Trade, and the Dutch Ministry of ForeignAffairs./.
VNA
