Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc (left) receives his Dutch counterpart Mark Rutte (right) in Hà Nội. VNA/VNS Photo Dương Giang

HÀ NỘI Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc and his Dutch counterpart Mark Rutte agreed to upgrade Việt Nam-Netherlands ties to the comprehensive partnership level during their talks in Hà Nội on Tuesday, the same day that their diplomatic ties were established 46 years ago.

The talks took place right after the welcome ceremony in the afternoon.

The Vietnamese PM assured Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte that Việt Nam always valued the strengthening of ties with the Netherlands, one of the European Union (EU) partners of top importance to Việt Nam.

Rutte, for his part, said he was impressed by Việt Nam's socio-economic achievements over the past five years. He spoke highly of Việt Nam's improving stature on regional and global scenes with the successful hosting of major international events, including the second DPRK-US summit.

He affirmed that the Dutch government and business community wanted to continue bolstering all-round ties with Việt Nam, evidenced by the presence of over 70 leading Dutch firms during the visit.

Commenting on the active, effective, and dynamic development of Việt Nam-Netherlands friendship and co-operation, both sides said there was still room to develop bilateral ties.

The Netherlands is currently Việt Nam's second largest European trade partner, with two-way trade at US$7.8 billion in 2018; and its largest European investor, with the total registered capital of $9.55 billion.

Both leaders pledged to create favourable conditions for the two nations' enterprises to enhance joint work in the priority fields of agriculture, marine-based and circular economy, and smart city development.

They agreed on the importance of the EU-Việt Nam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) and the EU-Việt Nam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA), meeting the interests of all parties concerned.

Rutte expressed his support for the early signing and ratification of the above deals, contributing to promoting trade in each market and global trade liberalisation between Việt Nam and the EU member states, including Dutch companies.

Host and guest expressed satisfaction with the bilateral strategic partnership in climate change adaptation and water management, as well as partnership in sustainable agriculture and food security with the launch of specific projects, considering them a focus of bilateral collaboration in the near future.

On regional and global issues of shared concern, they vowed to offer close and mutual support at multilateral forums, such as the United Nations, and the ASEAN – EU co-operation.

The two PMs discussed the importance of the maintenance of peace, stability, security, navigation and aviation safety and freedom in the East Sea; asserted the principle of law abidance and their stance on supporting the settlement of disputes by peaceful means in line with international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

Following the talks, the leaders signed a memorandum of understanding on agriculture co-operation in the Mekong Delta between the two governments, witnessed the signing of a co-operation agreement on mutual administrative support in customs and other bilateral deals.

On the occasion, both sides issued a joint statement on the outcomes of the official visit by the Prime Minister Mark Rutte.

Meeting Party, State leader
Việt Nam is one of the Netherlands' most important partners in Southeast Asia, visiting Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte told Vietnamese Party General Secretary, President Nguyễn Phú Trọng during a meeting on Tuesday.

The Dutch PM said that he was impressed by Việt Nam's development. He expressed his joy at the development of bilateral relations between the Netherlands and Việt Nam, especially in trade-investment and strategic co-operation fields, such as climate change adaptation, water management, sustainable agriculture and food security.

The guest said the Vietnamese market and ASEAN was attractive for Dutch businesses and partners, adding that he believes the two nations would co-operate with greater strength in the future.

For his part, Party General Secretary, President Trọng applauded the second visit of PM Rutte to Việt Nam in the context of dynamic co-operation between the two countries.

He appreciated the Netherlands' continued role as the biggest European investor in Việt Nam, the second largest European trading partner and one of the major export markets of the country.

He applauded the building of a comprehensive partnership between the two sides to increase co-operation and meet the development requirements of the two countries, especially in areas with great potential, such as renewable energy, high-quality agriculture, the food industry, seaport and logistics services and smart urban development.

He lauded the close co-ordination between the two countries at multilateral forums, including the United Nations, ASEAN, and the Asia-Europe Meeting, suggesting the Dutch side encourage the European Union (EU) to complete the legal review towards signing the EU-Việt Nam Free Trade Agreement and the Investment Protection Agreement between Việt Nam and EU.
Meeting NA Chairwoman
On the same day, National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyễn Thị Kim Ngân expressed her delight at the consensus reached on the upgrade of Việt Nam-Netherlands ties to the comprehensive partnership level which, she said, would open up new co-operation opportunities for both sides.

During a meeting with the guest, Ngân congratulated the two PMs on their successful talks.

She thanked the Netherlands for supporting Việt Nam's run as non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council for the 2020-21 tenure.

Informing the host about the outcomes of his talks with PM Nguyễn Xuân Phúc, Rutte said both countries had delta regions and export farm produce, so they could learn from each other's experience.

Discussing issues regarding the European Union-Việt Nam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA), NA Chairwoman Ngân said the Vietnamese legislature was in the process of refining legal regulations in line with international commitments and the FTAs Việt Nam has signed and joined.

Rutte said the Netherlands supported the early signing and ratification of the EVFTA, which is beneficial to not only Việt Nam but all parties concerned, especially the Netherlands.

In the evening the same day, the Dutch PM attended a sustainable fashion show co-organised by the Hà Nội municipal People's Committee and the Dutch Embassy at Lý Thái Tổ Park before flying home, concluding his visit to Việt Nam. VNS