Workshop looks back on 50 years of Vietnam-Netherlands ties
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs held a workshop on 50 years of relations between Vietnam and the Netherlands, and their achievements and prospects, in Hanoi on December 15, as part of activities marking the 50th founding anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties this year.
Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang and delegates (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – The Ministry of Foreign Affairs helda workshop on 50 years of relations between Vietnam and the Netherlands, and their achievements and prospects,in Hanoi on December 15, as part of activities marking the 50th founding anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties this year.
In her opening speech, Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Le ThiThu Hang affirmed tha💫t the Vietnam-Netherlands relationship is typical of dynamic,effective and practical cooperation.
The two countries have become priority and important partners of each other through the establishment of a comprehensive partnership in 2019,with political trust increasingly consolidated. The Netherlands hasbecome Vietnam's second largest trade partner in Europe and the biggest EUinvestor in Vietnam, she said. According to the diplomat, the two countries established a strategic partnershipon climate change response and water management in 2010, and a strategic partnershipon sustainable agriculture and food security in 2014. They have rolled outspecific and practical projects in the Mekong Delta. The bilateral relationshiphas expanded to national defence-security, transport and sci-tech, both atthe central and local levels. Dutch Ambassador to Vietnam Kees van Baar, for his part,expressed his wish to join with Vietnam in seizing opportunities of the next fivedecades, towards deepening collaboration in various fields, especiallypeople-to-people exchange and sustainable development. About orientations to future cooperation, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang said the two countries needto continue maintaining a solid political foundation through meetings at alllevels and channels to facilitate cooperation in other areas. Economy, trade and investment should remain an important pillarin the bilateral ties, she suggested, adding that both nations should take advantage of significant opportunities brought by legal frameworks such as the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) and the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement(EVIPA). As they are seeing new opportunities and driving forces ofcooperation in the circular economy and green growth, the diplomat proposed fullytapping Vietnam’s advantages and potential, with the support of the Netherlands,in institutional building, technology transfer and workforce training, towardssustainable development./.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and his Dutch counterpart Mark Rutte on November 2 morning made a cycling tour around some streets in Hanoi as part of the latter’s ongoing visit to Vietnam.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and his Dutch counterpart Mark Rutte attended the Vietnam-Netherlands High-tech Business Forum and the 2023 Green Economy Forum (GEF) in Hanoi on November 2.
Deputy Minister of Finance Vo Thanh Hung and Dutch Ambassador to Vietnam Kees van Baar on November 2 exchanged the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the implementation of the Vietnam-Netherlands agreement on cooperation and mutual administrative assistance in customs matters.
The Party and State of Vietnam always attach great importance to and give top priority to the development of Vietnam–China relations. Vietnam is ready to work with the Chinese Party and State to further deepen the Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership and promote the building of the Vietnam-China community with a shared future that carries strategic significance.
Under the leadership of President Ho Chi Minh and the CPV, President Cuong said, the press has been a steadfast force on the ideological and cultural front, rallying the masses to pursue national aspirations.
NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man stressed the need to accelerate the application of artificial intelligence and smart teaching equipment, innovate teaching and assessment methods, and further improve the quality of formal education.
He also pledged that the NA will promote its ongoing supervision, making sure that every promise must lead to results, and every commitment must bring about real changes.
Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien welcomed the proposals put forward by the US side and reiterated Vietnam’s request for consideration of key areas of interest, including reciprocal tariff policies and access for Vietnamese key export products to the US market.
Deputy PM Le Thanh Long proposed countries promote shared values, including building trust, sincerity, and solidarity among nations and peoples; fostering cooperation spirit and responsible behaviour as well as upholding international law and the UN Charter; and placing people at the centre and as the goal, the key player, and the driving force of all policies.
The show, together with a grand parade to be held silmutaneously at Ba Dinh Square in Hanoi, will celebrate the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution, the National Day, and the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army (VPA).
In particular, in April 2023, the two sides successfully carried out a joint operation that dismantled a major organised, transnational drug trafficking ring involving both Vietnamese and Cambodian suspects.
The Vietnamese Embassy in Israel is closely coordinating with relevant local agencies to stay informed and provide the utmost support possible for Vietnamese nationals.
The launch of Thanh Nien (Young People) newspaper in 1925, even before the founding of the Communist Party of Vietnam, is considered a testament to President Ho Chi Minh’s strategic foresight and strong belief in the guiding power of the revolutionary media.
New Zealand is currently one of Vietnam’s most important partners in the region, marked by a high level of political trust, strong and reliable defence and security cooperation, and increasingly open economic, trade, and investment ties.
Party General Secretary To Lam stressed that the Central Public Security Party Committee must be fully aware of the extremely important role of the People's Public Security force in the country's new revolutionary phase, so as to guide each branch and level of the force as the nation undergoes transformation.
Addressing concerns over university education spending, Son explained that as public universities gain greater autonomy, the Ministry of Finance has scaled back recurrent state funding. “Over the past decade, as autonomy has increased, the State's support has steadily declined”, he noted
Lao Minister of Foreign Affairs Thongsavanh Phomvihane affirmed that the presence of Vietnamese press offices in Laos vividly demonstrates the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between the two nations, as the press is not only a means of communication but also an important bridge for spreading consciousness about the history, values, and strategic depth of the Laos – Vietnam relationship to the people of both countries and the international community.
The country is willing to participate in collective efforts to promote cooperation and mobilise resources to advance the current priority issues of developing countries, such as trade, investment, infrastructure connectivity, making the most of scientific and technological advances for development, and people-to-people exchanges, Hang said.
During the negotiations, the US highly evaluated Vietnam’s goodwill and efforts, affirmed its appreciation for the bilateral relationship, acknowledged Vietnam’s proposals and concerns, and considered these an important basis for continuing discussions and moving towards a final agreement.
The Chairman stressed the need for stricter fiscal discipline, faster digital transformation, and more efficient management of State budget revenues and expenditures.
Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang and delegates (Photo: VNA) 
