The Hague (VNA) – Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha heldtalks with his Dutch counterpart Carola Schouten in The Hague on June 26 aspart of his working visit to the Netherlands.

Ha affirmed that Vietnam always attaches importance to itscomprehensive partnership with the Netherlands.

Appreciating the significance of Ha’s visit on the occasionof the 50th founding anniversary of diplomaticties between the two countries, Schouten expressed her belief that the trip will contribute todeepening the bilateral strategic partnership on climate change adaptation andwater management.

The two Deputy PMs confirmed the determination to further developthe Vietnam-Netherlands comprehensive partnership to be commensurate with the twocountries’ potential and wishes of their leaders and people.

They stressed the need to step up the exchange ofdelegations at all levels via the State, Government and National Assembly channelsand people-to-people exchanges; and effectively implement the EU-Vietnam FreeTrade Agreement (EVFTA).

Ha proposed the Netherlands soon ratify theEU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA), back the EuropeanCommission’s removal of its ‘yellow card’ warning against Vietnamese seafoodexports, and boost collaboration with Vietnam in not only politics andeconomy, but also in socio-culture; social insurance; child education, care andprotection; and human resources training.

Meanwhile, Schouten showed her hope that Vietnamsupports the Netherlands in strengthening its relations with the Association ofSoutheast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

The two sides affirmed to maintain close coordination andmutual support at multilateral forums and international organisations such asthe ASEAN-EU cooperation framework, the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM), and theUnited Nations.

Regarding the East Sea issue, both leaders stressed the importance ofensuring peace, stability, security, safety and freedom of navigation and aviationin the East Sea; and settling disputes by peaceful measures on the basis ofinternational law, while emphasising the importance of the 1982 United NationsConvention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

Ha took this occasion to propose the Dutch Governmentcontinue creating favourable conditions for the Vietnamese community in the Western European country to promote its important role as a bridge connecting the two countries.He affirmed that Vietnam welcomes and creates the best environment for foreigninvestors, businessmen and tourists, including those from the Netherlands.

Earlier, Deputy PM Tran Hong Ha had a meeting with Speakerof the House of Representatives Vera Bergkamp and President of the Senate JanAnthonie Bruijn, in which he described the Netherlands as Vietnam’sleading partner in trade, investment and cooperation in climate changeadaptation; and asserted Vietnam’s determination to comprehensively promoteand deepen the strategic partnership framework in the field of climate changeand sustainable agriculture.

He proposed the Dutch Parliament soon ratify the EVIPA tocontribute to creating favourable conditions for Dutch enterprises to expandtheir business and investment in Vietnam and push for the EC’s removal of its ‘yellowcard’ warning against Vietnamese seafood exports. Ha also suggested the Netherlands and its bilateral and multilateralpartners to support Vietnam in implementing the Just Energy TransitionPartnership (JETP).

The host leaders asserted that Vietnam is an importantpartner of the Netherlands in the Asia-Pacific region, and spoke highly of close coordinationbetween the Dutch Parliament and the Vietnamese National Assembly at regionaland international inter-parliamentary forums.

Both sides showed their belief that the cooperation betweenthe two legislatures will develop stronger in the coming time on thebilateral aspect and at multilateral forums, contributing to peace and stabilityin the world and the region, as well as to addressing global challenges towardssustainable development.

They also shared views on regional and international issuesof mutual concern. Regarding the East Sea issue, the two sides affirmed theirsupport for ensuring security, safety and freedom of navigation and aviation,and settling disputes by peaceful means in accordance with international lawand the 1982 UNCLOS.

On this occasion, Ha conveyed National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue's regards and invitations to Vera Bergkamp and Jan Anthonie Bruijn to visit Vietnam. The Dutch leaders accepted the invitations with pleasures and affirmed that they would pay visits to Vietnam in the coming time./.