Vietnam and the Netherlands have reinforced their commitment to broadening cooperation in numerous sectors during their second deputy minister-level political consultation held in Hanoi. The meeting, co-chaired by Vietnamese Deputy Foreign Minister Lê Thị Thu Hằng and Dutch Deputy Foreign Minister Marcel de Vink, focused on reviewing the progress in bilateral relations and celebrating the growth in diplomatic exchanges, economic collaboration, and coordination at both regional and international forums.
Vietnam outlined its ambitious long-term development goals, aiming to become an upper-middle-income country by 2030 and a developed, high-income nation by 2045. To reach these targets, the country plans to prioritize science and technology, innovation, and digital transformation as the main catalysts for sustainable growth. The Vietnamese side also emphasized the need for a deeper implementation of the Comprehensive Partnership and existing strategic cooperation frameworks with the Netherlands to enhance trade, investment, sustainable agriculture, climate adaptation, green transition, and innovation.
The Vietnamese delegation called for the Netherlands’ support in ratifying the EU–Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement and advocated for the removal of trade restrictions affecting seafood exports. Meanwhile, the Netherlands reiterated its dedication to strengthening ties with Vietnam, highlighting the Southeast Asian nation as a significant and reliable partner in the Asia-Pacific region. Dutch officials expressed a keen interest in sending larger business delegations to Vietnam and expanding collaboration in high-technology sectors, including semiconductors, artificial intelligence, scientific research, and workforce development.
Both nations agreed on the importance of enhancing cooperation in the fields of security, defense, justice, culture, tourism, and people-to-people exchanges. They also encouraged stronger connections between local governments and businesses. In addressing regional and global issues, Vietnam and the Netherlands reaffirmed their support for multilateralism, free trade, and the peaceful resolution of disputes in line with international law. They underscored the necessity of maintaining peace, stability, and freedom of navigation and overflight, particularly under the framework of the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.