The Netherlands regarded as European friend of Vietnam

Dutch PM Rutte is on a two-day official visit to the country at the invitation of his Vietnamese counterpart Pham Minh Chinh.

In a recent interview granted to VOV regarding the ongoing visit by PM Rutte, Ambassador van Baar said that the visit is a particularly important and meaningful event amid the two countries celebrating the 50th anniversary of the diplomatic ties which began in 1973.

The visit aims to deepen the sound citizen diplomacy between both sides, boost broader co-operation on innovative technological solutions in the fields of agriculture, irrigation, high technology, green energy, as well as cultural exchange.

Looking back at bilateral ties over the past five decades, fruitful linkages between the two countries have been demonstrated through many levels, including between governments, businesses, as well as between universities, research institutes, and organizations in both nations over the course of many years. This therefore serves as the foundation for the development of bilateral relations which have been achieved today.

The two nations have so far established a strategic partnership on climate change response and water management, a strategic partnership on sustainable agriculture and food security, and a comprehensive partnership.

The Netherlands makes up the nation’s side’s second largest trading partner in Europe and the EU’s largest investor in the Vietnamese market.

Typically, investment projects are mainly implemented in southern localities such as Ho Chi Minh City, Ba Ria - Vung Tau, Dong Nai, and Binh Duong, with many projects of major groups operating very effectively.

Joint ties are also extremely diverse, ranging from climate change adaptation and water management to sustainable agriculture, food security and defence security, as well as education and training.

Within the framework of the current visit, the Dutch PM will have a host of meetings with senior Vietnamese leaders, attend a high-tech, and spend time at a green economy business forum. He is scheduled to launch several activities alongside local businesses such as going cycling and visiting students at Hanoi - Amsterdam School.

Discussing the expectations of this visit and the prospects of further collaboration between the two countries moving forward, Ambassador van Baar said that the trip is an affirmation of the comprehensive partnership as it takes place in the context of bilateral relations seeing positive development across a variety of fields, notably investment, trade, agriculture, and climate change response.

The two sides regularly maintain delegations at all levels, as well as many bilateral co-operation mechanisms, whilst closely collaborating and support each other at international forums and organisations.

Currently, the Netherlands ranks 18th in the world and fifth in the EU in terms of GDP size, whilst ranking second globally in exporting agricultural products with a modern agricultural model.

The European nation is one of the most competitive economies in the world, taking the lead in digital transformation and sustainable development, with high openness featuring developed foreign trade towards green growth.

The Dutch diplomat said he hoped that co-operative relations between the two countries will grow and flourish in the future, especially in the fields of innovation and people-to-people exchanges.