Prime Minister holds phone conversation with Dutch counterpart

The two Prime Ministers hailed positive developments in the countries' cooperation and friendship with strengthened political trust, extensive and effective economic ties, and practical achievements in cooperation mechanisms.

They agreed to coordinate closely to facilitate a state visit to Viet Nam by the Dutch King and Queen.

The Vietnamese leader affirmed Viet Nam's consistent policy of attaching importance to the development of a comprehensive partnership with the Netherlands.

He suggested the Netherlands early complete the ratification of the EU-Viet Nam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) and urge the European Commission (EC) to remove the "yellow card" warning on illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing imposed on Viet Nam.

Pham called on the Netherlands to support Viet Nam in implementing its Mekong Delta planning scheme for 2021-2030, and developing climate-resilient urban areas along its central coast.

He emphasized the need to deepen bilateral defense and security cooperation, particularly in shipbuilding, UN peacekeeping training, and prevention of terrorism and organized crime.

For his part, Rutte asserted that both sides should enhance delegation exchanges across the state, government, and parliamentary channels to bolster friendship and political trust.

It is also necessary to join hands and support each other at international forums and organizations to make contributions to regional and global peace, security, and development, he noted.

The Netherlands would continue to encourage local enterprises to invest in Viet Nam, particularly in high-tech, microchip manufacturing, semiconductor, seaport, shipbuilding technology, logistics and strategic infrastructure domains, emphasized the Dutch Prime Minister.

Both sides vowed to organize activities to mark the 5th anniversary of the countries' comprehensive partnership (2019-2024), 10th anniversary of strategic partnership on sustainable agriculture and food security (2014-2024), and 15th anniversary of strategic partnership on climate change adaptation and water management (2010-2025).

They also agreed to take advantages brought by the EU-Viet Nam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) to raise bilateral trade turnover to US$15 billion in the near future.

Regarding the East Sea issue, the two leaders underlined the importance of ensuring security, safety, and freedom of navigation, and settling disputes peacefully on the basis of international law, particularly the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS)./.