Hanoi (VNA) – Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh said Vietnam and the Netherlands should keep reinforcing ties in the time ahead during his reception for Dutch Ambassador Elsbeth Akkerman in Hanoi onSeptember 10.
 
Akkerman affirmed that the Dutch Government attachesimportance to the two countries’ comprehensive partnership, as well as their strategicpartnerships in climate change response, water management, and sustainableagriculture, considering these as the solid foundation for continuing todevelop relations between the countries’ Governments and business circles in anextensive and effective manner for the sake of "the economies, human, and the planet”.

Appreciating the Vietnamese Government and the PM’s attentionto EU businesses, including Dutch firms, she held that both countries areholding numerous opportunities and prospects for enhancing cooperation.

She expressed her hope that the two countries will keepeffectively implementing the Vietnam - EU Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) and sooncarry out the EU - Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA), therebygiving an important impulse to Vietnam’s relations with the EU and the Netherlands.

The diplomat also noted the attention of EU investors,including Dutch ones, to seaport and logistics industries, voicing her beliefthat cooperation projects in these sectors will help reduce transportationcosts and increase the flow of goods from Vietnam to European nations. She added that the Port of Rotterdam in the Netherlands is handling about 60percent of Vietnamese goods exported to Europe.

Akkerman informed that the Dutch Government willpresent ventilators and medical supplies worth some 43 billion VND (1.9 millionUSD) to Vietnam, and the Netherlands will continue accompanying Vietnam in thebattle against COVID-19.

Thanking the Dutch Government and businesses for theirprecious assistance, PM Chinh asked the ambassador to propose the Government,relevant agencies, and enterprises of the Netherlands keep supporting Vietnamto access vaccine sources early via different forms such as lending or donation,and assist the latter with COVID-19 drugs and medical equipment.

He shared the view that after one year of implementation, theEVFTA has been creating positive changes to bilateral economic - trade ties,with the Netherlands currently the second largest trade partner and the biggestFDI investor from Europe in Vietnam.

The Government leader called on the Dutch parliament to soonratify the EVIPA and support the removal of the “yellow card” warning relatedto illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing for Vietnam’s fisherysector.

PM Chinh highly valued the Netherlands’capacity and experience in climate change response, water management, andsustainable agriculture, and proposed that the two countries strengthen cooperation inhelping Vietnam’s Mekong Delta cope with the sea level rise, land subsidence,and coastal erosion; develop sustainable agriculture; and expand ties to otherpotential fields like human resource training, public - private partnership, andsea, rail, and air transportation to optimise goods trading and facilitate thedelivery of Vietnam’s seasonal farm produce such as longan and lychee to theNetherlands and other EU countries.

He reiterated that the Vietnamese Government always createsoptimal conditions for foreign investors, including those from the EU and theNetherlands, to do business and make investment in Vietnam. The country alsowelcomes potential international investors who are interested in the Cai Mep Halogistics centre project in Ba Ria - Vung Tau province.

The PM applauded the fruitful bilateral coordination in therecent past, requesting the two countries continue reinforcing cooperation,supporting each other at multilateral forums and international organisations, especiallythe United Nations, and working closely in regional and global issues in thecoming time.

Regarding the East Sea issue, Ambassador Akkerman said theNetherlands supports ASEAN’s viewpoint and wish to maintain peace,stability, security, safety, and freedom of navigation and overflight, and tosettle disputes by peaceful means on the basis of international law, includingthe 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

On this occasion, PM Chinh asked the ambassador to convey hisinvitation to Dutch PM Mark Rutte to visit Vietnam in the near future./.