Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc holds phone talks with his Dutch counterpart Mark Rutte on Monday. — VNA/VNS Photo Thống Nhất

HÀ NỘI — Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc talked over the phone with his Dutch counterpart Mark Rutte on Monday.

Appreciating the Dutch Government's provision of an aid package worth EUR2 million for flood victims in Việt Nam’s central region, Phúc said the two nations would continue working closely implementing cooperation programmes within the framework of their strategic partnership in response to climate change, water management, and natural disaster risk mitigation.

Both leaders expressed their delight at the robust growth of the Việt Nam – Netherlands comprehensive partnership, which was established during Rutte’s visit to Việt Nam in 2019, despite COVID-19 impacts. Bilateral trade has now reached US$6.2 billion, up 2 per cent year-on-year.  

They believe the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement, which took effect in August this year, will be a driving force and create opportunities for expanding cooperation between Vietnamese and Dutch enterprises.

They were pleased with the development of the comprehensive partnership across fields such as politics-diplomacy, economy, and collaboration in agriculture and climate change adaptation.

Phúc said Việt Nam always valued the growth of its friendship and multifaceted cooperation with the Netherlands, considering the country its top partner in climate change adaptation and sustainable farming development. He hoped for the European country's further assistance for the agricultural transformation plan in Việt Nam’s Mekong Delta for 2020 – 2023 and other cooperation programmes in the region.

Rutte praised Việt Nam’s measures and efforts in COVID-19 prevention and control. Phúc said Việt Nam was willing to work with other nations in the work, as well as in trade reconnection and economic recovery.

The Vietnamese leader also discussed outcomes of the 37th ASEAN Summit and related summits. He welcomed the Netherlands’ proposal to join the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC), considering it an important basis to further promote the ASEAN-Netherlands and ASEAN-EU collaboration.

Phúc said he hopes to soon host Rutte in his future visit to Việt Nam. —VNS