Vietnam and the Netherlands have reinforced their dedication to broadening their cooperative efforts, following their second deputy minister-level political consultation in Hanoi. This meeting was led by Vietnamese Deputy Foreign Minister Lê Thị Thu Hằng and her Dutch counterpart Marcel de Vink, where both nations assessed the advancements in their bilateral relations. They expressed satisfaction with the ongoing growth in diplomatic interactions, economic partnerships, and their collaboration in various regional and international platforms.
Vietnam underscored its strategic ambitions of reaching upper-middle-income status by 2030 and evolving into a developed, high-income country by 2045. Central to these goals are prioritizing science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation as pivotal elements of Vietnam’s sustainable development strategy. Additionally, Vietnam is eager to deepen the implementation of the Comprehensive Partnership and other strategic cooperation agreements it shares with the Netherlands, aiming for enhanced collaboration in trade, investment, sustainable agriculture, climate resilience, green energy transition, and technological innovations.
In a bid to bolster economic ties, Vietnam has requested support for the ratification of the EU–Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement and seeks to eliminate trade barriers affecting seafood exports. The Netherlands, on its part, acknowledged Vietnam as a crucial and reliable partner in the Asia-Pacific region, committing to strengthening ties. Dutch representatives showed interest in increasing business delegations to Vietnam and expanding their cooperation in advanced technology sectors, including semiconductors, artificial intelligence, scientific research, and workforce development.
Furthermore, both countries agreed to enhance collaboration in areas of security, defense, justice, culture, tourism, and fostering people-to-people connections. They are also encouraging stronger ties between local governments and businesses to facilitate these efforts. On a broader scale, Vietnam and the Netherlands reiterated their support for multilateralism, free trade, and resolving disputes peacefully in line with international law. They stressed the significance of preserving peace, stability, and ensuring freedom of navigation and overflight, particularly under the guidelines of the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.