VN, Netherlands agree to lift ties to Comprehensive Partnership

PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc and his Dutch counterpart Mark Rutte hold talks in Ha Noi, April 9, 2019 - Photo: VGP/Quang Hieu

Welcoming the Dutch PM’s official visit to Viet Nam on the occasion of the 46^th founding anniversary of the diplomatic ties, Mr. Phuc confirmed that Viet Nam always attaches importance to and promotes the relationship with the Netherlands, one of Viet Nam’s top partners in the EU. 

The Dutch PM expressed his delight to see Viet Nam’s socio-economic development over the recent five years and the increasing status of Viet Nam in the region and the world, especially successful organization of the second DPRK-US Summit. 

The Government and businesses of the Netherlands expect to boost the multi-faceted relations with Viet Nam, affirmed Mr. Mark Rutte. 

They asserted to facilitate the two nations’ enterprises to enhance cooperation, especially in prioritized areas such as agriculture, maritime economy, circular economy development and smart city building and planning. 

The two PMs highlighted that the Netherlands became the second largest trade partner of Viet Nam in Europe with the two-way trade value of US$7.8 billion in 2018 and the Netherlands took the lead in investing in Viet Nam among European nations with the registered FDI worth US$9.55 billion. 

They stressed the importance of the EU-Viet Nam Free Trade Agreement and the Investment Protection Agreement (IPA). 

Mr. Mark Rutte confirmed to advocate the early signing and approval of the agreement, contributing to accelerating mutual investment and business and international free trade between Viet Nam and members of the EU, including the Netherlands. 

Both sides reaffirmed that their Strategic Partnerships on Climate Change Adaptation and Water Management, and on Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security had been productive and would remain pillars of their Comprehensive Partnership.

The two leaders discussed issues of international and regional concerns, asserting to continue close and mutual support at multi-lateral forums such as the United Nations and ASEAN-EU cooperation. 

Both sides reaffirmed the importance of peace, security, and stability in the East Sea, and respect for the maritime order based on international law, as reflected in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). 

After the talks, the two PMs inked the Memorandum of Understanding between the Governments of Viet Nam and the Netherlands on the Agricultural Transition in the Mekong River Delta and witnessed the signing ceremony of the Agreement on mutual administrative support and cooperation in customs and other bilateral documents. 

By Thuy Dung