Vietnam Vows to Bolster Comprehensive Partnership with Netherlands

At the talks between Prime Minister Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and his Dutch counterpart Mark Rutte. Photo: VNA

The two PMs agreed to increase the exchange of all-level delegations between the States, Governments, and parliaments of the two countries, and effectively implement bilateral cooperation mechanisms, VietnamPlus reported.

The concurred in continuing to effectively implement the EU - Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) and developing the two countries into transit centres for goods in their respective regions.

PM Chinh proposed the Netherlands to soon ratify the EU - Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA); encourage Dutch businesses to step up investment in the fields they are strong at in Vietnam such as seaport, shipbuilding, logistics, and infrastructure connectivity; support the European Commission’s removal of its IUU “yellow card” warning against Vietnam’s aquatic product exports; and assist the Southeast Asian nation to build seaports, airports, and innovation centres.

The Vietnamese Government leader also suggested the two sides ink a labour cooperation agreement soon.

At the welcome ceremony for PM Pham Minh Chinh. Photo: VGP

The two leaders agreed to intensify cooperation within the framework of the strategic partnerships in climate change adaptation and sustainable agriculture.

The Netherlands is ready to share experience, knowledge, technology, and concessional loans to help Vietnam develop sustainable agriculture and the logistics system, boost green transition, protect biodiversity, and manage water resources, especially in the Mekong Delta, the Dutch PM said.

PM Chinh proposed the Netherlands to assist Vietnam to develop eco-friendly, modern, and smart agriculture; provide aid in terms of finance, technology, and manpower training within the Just Energy Transition Partnership on the basis of harmonious interests to help Vietnam effectively cope with climate change and realise climate commitments; and support the country in developing a circular economy.

PM Rutte pledged to foster cooperation in renewable energy development and give assistance in term of offshore sand mining technology, land erosion prevention, and amendment of the Law on Water Resources.

He also welcomed his guest’s proposal on the establishment of a trilateral cooperation mechanism on agriculture and food security to deal with supply chain disruptions and contribute to common efforts to resolve the global 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 the ASEAN-EU cooperation, the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM), and the United Nations.

Regarding the South China Sea (Bien Dong Sea) issue, the two PMs reaffirmed the importance of ensuring peace, stability, security, safety, and freedom of navigation and overflight in the South China Sea, and resolving disputes by peaceful measures on the basis of international law. They also underlined the significance of the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

Following the talks, the PMs witnessed the signing of some cooperation documents.

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

Vietnam wants to learn from Netherlands’s experience in green agriculture

Also on December 12, PM Chinh visited the World Horti Centre (WHC) in South Holland province, VOV said.

During the meeting with PM Chinh, Director of WHC Puck van Holsteijn said WHC can provide seeds and technologies for Vietnam, so that the country’s agriculture can develop with higher productivity and quality.

PM Chinh said Vietnam is striving to promote agriculture development in the direction of ecological agriculture and modern countryside, so the country wants to learn experience from the Netherlands in developing green, clean, sustainable agriculture, and diversifying the supply chain.

He hoped the Netherlands can support Vietnam in developing processing technologies and markets, and producing products that are suitable for global consumption demand, adding that Vietnam can help the Netherlands develop raw materials.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh visits the World Horti Centre (WHC) in South Holland province, the Netherlands. Photo: VNA

The PM wished the Netherlands will continue to provide technical assistance and mobilise more resources from investors, donors and development partners for Vietnam, especially for its Mekong Delta region, helping the Southeast Asian nation successfully implement the region’s sustainable agricultural transformation plan.

He called for more technical support from the European country for Vietnam’s management, research and training agencies to help them strengthen their capacity in digital transformation in agriculture development, emission reduction, green growth, hi-tech agriculture, circular economy, and logistics.

Vietnam also needs the Netherlands' coordination and support in conducting research into the application of space technology in the field of irrigation and preventing erosion of river banks and coasts./.

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