dutch pm in vietnam

Prime Minister of the Netherlands Mark Rutte (left) and his Vietnamese counterpart Nguyen Xuan Phuc

 

 

 

The Dutch Government leader told the press before leaving Vietnam on April 9 night that people of the two countries are getting closer to each other, and he and PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc have formed a close friendship that has enabled them to discuss various issues, especially opportunities for both sides.

Noting that the Netherlands is a big investor in Vietnam, Rutte said 70 firms that accompanied him during the visit will stay in Vietnam for the next three days to sign many contracts on agriculture, water management, off-shore wind energy and logistics.

He added that many other enterprises of the European country are also seeking cooperation opportunities with Vietnamese partners.

The Dutch PM lauded Vietnam for its efforts in sustainable development despite a range of challenges, citing the example of the Mekong Delta, where 20 million people are suffering from direct impacts of natural and environmental changes.

The local residents have learned how to adapt to these changes instead of combating them, he added.

With most of its area below the sea level, the Netherlands can share its experience in this regard with Vietnam, the PM said.

Talking about air pollution, which has remained a big problem to the Netherlands, he said the country has planned to close coal-fired power plants by 2030 and is implementing some projects on off-shore wind, solar and geothermal energy. The Governments and firms of the Netherlands and Vietnam are discussing cooperation in off-shore wind power, he said.

During the visit, the second to Vietnam by Rutte since 2014, the Dutch PM held talks with PM Phuc, paid a courtesy visit to Party General Secretary and President Nguyen Phu Trong and met with National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan.

He also attended a seminar between the 70 Dutch firms and representatives from Vietnamese ministries and agencies. 

Dutch Prime Minister wraps up official visit to Vietnam

Prime Minister of the Netherlands Mark Rutte successfully wrapped up his official visit to Vietnam at the invitation of Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc late on April 9.

During his visit, the Dutch PM held talks with PM Phuc, paid a courtesy visit to Party General Secretary and President Nguyen Phu Trong, and met with National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan.

He attended a workshop with 70 leading businesses from the Netherlands and leaders of Vietnamese ministries and departments, and a sustainable fashion show held by the Hanoi municipal People’s Committee and the Embassy of the Netherlands in Vietnam.

On the occasion, the two sides issued a joint statement, agreeing on the importance of bilateral cooperation and elevation of Vietnam-Netherlands relations to comprehensive partnership in order to deepen their collaboration in all fields in the coming time.

The two countries agreed to further increase high-level delegation exchanges within bilateral and multilateral frameworks in addition to improving the efficiency of specific cooperation mechanisms.

They were unanimous to implement cooperation programmes based on the priorities and strengths of both countries such as cultivation, animal husbandry, food safety management, smart agriculture, climate change adaptation, and water resources.

The two nations agreed to jointly develop smart agriculture areas and improve chains of products and Vietnamese farm produce as well as focus on technology transfer from Dutch partners to increase cooperation opportunities among businesses.

The two sides shared a lot of common viewpoints on regional and international issues and expressed their support for the enhancement of effective multilateral cooperation, respect for international law, and trade liberalisation.

They agreed to boost cooperation in the UN peacekeeping activities and supported the building of a strong and prosperous ASEAN community as well as enhance cooperation between the bloc and the European Union (EU) with a view to establishing strategic partnership in the future.

While exchanging views about the significance of maintaining peace, stability, security, safety and freedom of navigation and aviation in the East Sea, the two sides reiterated their stance of resolving disputes via peaceful means in line with international law, including the UN 1982 Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

On the occasion, the two PMs signed a Memorandum of Understanding between Vietnam and the Netherlands on agricultural transformation cooperation in the Mekong Delta, and witnessed the signing of an agreement on mutual administrative support and cooperation in the field of customs, and other bilateral cooperation documents.

 

 

VNA/VNN