Vietnam and the Netherlands recently conducted their second deputy minister-level political consultation in Hanoi, where they reinforced their dedication to broadening cooperative efforts across various sectors. Spearheaded by Vietnamese Deputy Foreign Minister Lê Thị Thu Hằng and Dutch Deputy Foreign Minister Marcel de Vink, the meeting highlighted the significant progress made in bilateral relations, emphasizing the continued enhancement of diplomatic exchanges, economic partnerships, and collaboration in regional and international forums.
Vietnam laid out its ambitious development targets of reaching upper-middle-income status by 2030 and achieving the status of a developed, high-income nation by 2045. To pursue these goals, the country is focusing on science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation as crucial components for sustainable growth. In this context, Vietnam called for a more profound execution of the Comprehensive Partnership and strategic cooperation frameworks with the Netherlands, urging increased collaboration in areas such as trade, investment, sustainable agriculture, climate adaptation, green transition, digital transformation, and innovation.
The Vietnamese delegation also sought the Netherlands’ backing for the ratification of the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement and advocated for the removal of trade restrictions affecting seafood exports. Meanwhile, the Netherlands reiterated its commitment to reinforcing ties with Vietnam, acknowledging the nation as a vital and reliable partner in the Asia-Pacific region. Dutch officials expressed their intention of sending larger business delegations to Vietnam and expanding cooperation, particularly in high-tech sectors, including semiconductors, artificial intelligence, scientific research, and workforce development.
In addition to economic and technological cooperation, both countries agreed to bolster collaboration in security, defense, justice, culture, tourism, and people-to-people exchanges. They also encouraged stronger connections between local governments and businesses to foster deeper bilateral ties. On the international front, both sides underscored their support for multilateralism, free trade, and the peaceful resolution of disputes in line with international law. There was a mutual emphasis on the importance of maintaining peace, stability, and freedom of navigation and overflight, particularly under the guidelines of the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.