PM urges stronger multi-faceted cooperation with the Netherlands

PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc (R) ​and Dutch Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation Sigrid Kaag - Source: VNA

While receiving Dutch Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation Sigrid Kaag in Hanoi on February 6, PM Phuc said Vietnam is impressed with achievements the Netherlands has recorded in building irrigation works, seaports, high-tech agriculture and especially in adaptation with climate change.

Thanks to experience shared by the Netherlands, Vietnam successfully organised a major conference on climate change response in the Mekong Delta region, with the attendance of the Deputy Delta Commissioner of the Netherlands and other experts in this field, he said.

The PM praised the Netherlands as one of Asia’s leading trade partners, noting that Dutch businesses have invested nearly 8 billion USD in Vietnam.

He urged the Government of the Netherlands to encourage Dutch firms to increase investments in Vietnam in various realms, particularly in climate change response and renewable energy.

Vietnam is reforming itself strongly and improving its business environment which has been recognized by the international community, he said, adding that the country is integrating deeply into the global economy as reflected through its successful hosting of large-scale international events with the most noteworthy being the APEC Economic Leaders’ Week in 2017.

In that spirit, PM Phuc called on the two nations to further implement the strategic partnership through specific activities such as updating the Mekong Delta Action Plan by building a concrete planning scheme for the region; rolling out orientations for regional livelihood restructuring and building regional connectivity; stepping up cooperation between Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi of Vietnam and Rotterdam of the Netherlands, as well as collaboration in personnel training in the environmental sector.

For her part, Kaag expressed her delight when seeing the two countries actively preparing for activities to mark the 45th founding anniversary of diplomatic ties.

The minister believed that the Governments and people of the Netherlands and Vietnam will tighten cooperation and accompany with each other in development, looking towards another period of 45 years for their peace and prosperity.

Kaag said she was being accompanied by representatives of major Dutch businesses who want to study the Vietnamese market and seek investment and cooperation opportunities in Vietnam in not only traditional spheres like climate change and high-tech agriculture but also in seaport management, technological development and start-up.

With its strengths, the Netherlands is willing to join hands with Vietnam in agriculture, seaport development and logistics, thus helping generate jobs, spur the country’s economic growth and improve living conditions of local people, she said.

The Netherlands always stands ready to partner with Vietnam in developing the Mekong Delta in the face of climate change, she said, stressing that through such cooperative activities, the two sides will target higher efficiency of the implementation of the millennium development goals (MDGs).

The Netherlands is also willing to share its knowledge and experience with Vietnam and work together with the country during its development process, she emphasized.

In reply, PM Phuc said he will instruct relevant agencies to study, propose and carry out these cooperative activities, covering water resources management.

He expressed his hope that Kaag’s visit will create a landmark in promoting comprehensive cooperation between the two countries more effectively, on par with the strategic partnership on climate change and water resources management, and the strategic partnership on sustainable agriculture and food security.