Vietnam and Netherlands vow to develop comprehensive partnership substantively

The agreement was reached during talks in The Hague between Dutch Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Poverty Policy, Participation and Pensions Carola Schouten and Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha who is in The Hague for an official visit to the Netherlands.

The two sides agreed to strengthen the exchange of delegations at all levels, and effectively implement the Vietnam - EU Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA).

Ha affirmed that Vietnam always attaches importance to the comprehensive partnership with the Netherlands.

Meanwhile, Schouten expressed her belief Ha’s visit would contribute to further enhancing the framework of the strategic partnership on climate change adaptation and water management between the two countries.

The two side emphasized that Vietnam and the Netherlands have many similarities in terms of natural conditions. Both countries are jointly impacted by climate change and sea level rise and are determined to act towards green and sustainable development, as well as energy transition, especially in the context that Vietnam is working with G7 partners to implement the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) agreement. Both countries are also working closely within the framework of the strategic partnership on climate change adaptation and sustainable agriculture.

Ha suggested that the Netherlands soon ratify the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) and support the European Commission (EC) to remove the IUU yellow card for seafood exports from Vietnam.

He also proposed that the Netherlands promote cooperation with Vietnam not only in politics and economy but also in socio-cultural, social insurance, childcare, education, gender equality, and human resource development.

The visiting official voiced Vietnam’s support for the Netherlands to strengthen ties with ASEAN.

Both host and guest agreed that Vietnam and the Netherlands should continue to closely coordinate and support each other at multilateral forums and international organizations such as the United Nations, Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) and ASEAN-EU cooperation framework.

They emphasized the importance of ensuring peace, stability, security, safety and freedom of navigation and overflight in the East Sea, and of settling disputes by peaceful means on the basis of international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

Ha took the occasion to ask the Dutch Government to continue to create favourable conditions for the Vietnamese community in their host country. He also affirmed that Vietnam welcomes and creates the best environment for foreign businesspeople and tourists, including those from the Netherlands, to come to invest in and travel throughout the country.

Earlier, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha met with Speaker of the House of Representatives Vera Bergkamp and President of the Senate Jan Anthonie Bruijn.

Ha said the Netherlands is Vietnam’s leading trade, investment and climate change adaptation partner. He noted with satisfaction the positive developments in bilateral relations as well as the good cooperation relationship between the National Assembly of Vietnam and the Parliament of the Netherlands. He voiced Vietnam’s resolve to comprehensively promote and deepen the strategic partnership framework in the field of climate change and sustainable agriculture between the two countries.

Both the House Speaker and Senate President affirmed that Vietnam is the Netherlands’ important partner in the Asia-Pacific region. They highly appreciated the close coordination between the Dutch Parliament and the Vietnamese National Assembly at regional and international inter-parliamentary forums, and agreed to further enhance the Vietnam - Netherlands Comprehensive Partnership.

They expressed hope that Vietnam would support the Netherlands to foster its relations with ASEAN.

The two sides also exchanged views on regional and international issues of mutual concern.

The Deputy Prime Minister conveyed the greetings and invitations to visit Vietnam from National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue to the House Speaker and the Senate President. The two leaders of the Dutch Parliament happily accepted the invitations and said they would visit Vietnam soon in the near future.