Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc affirmed the nation’s readiness to boost closer coordination with other nations in containing the COVID-19 pandemic during his phone talks with his Dutch counterpart Mark Rutte on November 30.

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc holds phone talks
with his Dutch counterpart Mark Rutte

The Vietnamese cabinet leader expressed his appreciation for the Dutch Government's provision of an aid package worth 2 million EUR for flood victims in Vietnam’s central region, while affirming that both sides will continue working closely, and effectively carrying out cooperation programmes within the framework of their strategic partnership in climate change adaption, water management, and natural disaster risk mitigation.

The pair showed their elation at the robust growth of the Vietnam – Netherlands comprehensive partnership, which was established during Rutte’s visit to Vietnam in 2019. Notably, despite suffering the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the bilateral trade enjoys a year-on-year increase of 2% to US$6.2 billion.

The two PMs expressed their confidence that the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) which came into force in August this year, will serve as the driving force and offer plenty  of opportunities for expanding cooperation between Vietnamese and Dutch enterprises.

They said they are elated with the development of the comprehensive partnership across multiple fields such as politics-diplomacy, economy, and collaboration in agriculture and climate change adaptation.

Vietnam always hails the growth of its friendship and multifaceted cooperation with the Netherlands, considering the European nation its top partner in climate change adaptation and sustainable farming development. He hoped for the Netherlands’ further assistance for the agricultural transformation plan in Vietnam’s Mekong Delta for 2020 – 2023 and other cooperation programmes in the region.

In response, the Dutch diplomat applauded Vietnam’s COVID-19 containment measures and efforts. PM Phuc assured Vietnam’s willing to work with other nations in the work, as well as in trade reconnection and economic recovery.

On the occasion, PM Phuc briefed his Dutch counterpart on the outcomes of the 37th ASEAN Summit and related summits. He welcomed the Netherlands’ proposal to join the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC), regarding it as an important basis for further enhancement of the ASEAN-Netherlands and ASEAN-EU collaboration.

Phuc expressed his wish to soon welcome PM Mark Rutte to visit Vietnam again in the time ahead.