Joint statement between the Netherlands and Vietnam

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The leaders also affirmed their full support for the peaceful resolution of disputes in accordance with international law.

1. During the visit, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc held talks with Prime Minister Mark Rutte and was the guest of honour at a dinner hosted by Prime Minister Mark Rutte; met with the President of the House of Representatives Ms. Khadija Arib and the President of the Senate Ms. Ankie Broekers-Knol; visited the Port of Rotterdam and met with the Mayor of Rotterdam Mr. Ahmed Aboutaleb; visited Wageningen University and Research; attended a Business Forum, participated in a CEO Roundtable and met with representatives of leading Dutch companies.

2. The leaders noted with satisfaction the comprehensive and substantive growth of the Viet Nam - Netherlands relationship in all areas since the establishment of the Strategic Partnership Arrangement on Climate Change Adaptation and Water Management in 2010 as well as the Strategic Partnership Arrangement on Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security in 2014. The leaders pledged to continue high-level contacts and exchanges of delegations, including consultations at regular intervals between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs on topics of mutual interest and concern. The diplomatic missions of the two countries at international organizations and multilateral fora, when appropriate, will hold consultations and strengthen cooperation on issues of mutual interest.

Both leaders noted that Viet Nam and the Netherlands will celebrate the 45th anniversary of their diplomatic relations in 2018 and agreed that the respective sides would coordinate where appropriate in marking this special year.

3. The leaders expressed satisfaction with the concrete cooperation within the framework of the Strategic Partnership Arrangement on Climate Change Adaptation and Water Management.

In particular, the two sides have made significant progress in cooperating on improved regional coordination in the Mekong Delta and on policies directed at the sustainable development of the Mekong Delta. Both sides are committed to build on these successes.

Given the similarities as Delta Countries, both sides valued the exchange of expertise and experience in this field. In light of its role as an important knowledge partner, the Netherlands confirmed its willingness to further support the implementation of the Arrangement, as appropriate. The leaders signed a Letter of Intent to cooperate on the facilitation and implementation of large-scale transformative projects for a sustainable Mekong Delta. Viet Nam welcomed the Dutch contribution to the Mekong River Commission (MRC). The leaders confirmed their strong support for the 1995 Agreement on the cooperation for the sustainable development of the Mekong River basin.

4. The leaders highly valued the practical cooperation within the framework of the Strategic Partnership Arrangement on Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security. Viet Nam and the Netherlands will exchange views on improving value chains in agriculture, including in safe meat production chains and creating favorable conditions for innovative sustainable agriculture. Viet Nam welcomes the experience and cooperation of the Netherlands in this field. Together with the World Bank Group, they signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in Food Safety Management in Viet Nam involving Dutch support for Viet Nam in terms of professional knowledge, technology and experience. Viet Nam appreciates the technical support of the Netherlands in developing Viet Nam’s National Food Branding strategy in recent years. Viet Nam cordially invited the Netherlands to participate in the Viet Nam FoodExpo 2018 as the Country of Honour.

5. The two countries affirmed the importance of promoting bilateral trade and investment and creating favorable conditions for the businesses of both sides, particularly in the framework of the EU - Viet Nam Free Trade Agreement. The leaders expressed their support for the EU - Viet Nam Free Trade Agreement. This agreement, with a specific chapter on sustainability, would be mutually beneficial and an important tool to spur economic growth and sustainable development. The Netherlands offered its expertise and support to Viet Nam on the implementation of the Agreement as will be stipulated in the Road Map. Viet Nam reaffirmed its consistent policy of economic reform and international integration, ensuring implementation of relevant international commitments.

6. The leaders support the efforts and progress made in the partnership between the Vietnamese aviation sector and the Dutch aviation sector. Viet Nam highly appreciates the collaboration of Dutch aviation experts, government agencies and businesses with their peers in Viet Nam. The continued efforts by the Dutch government supported through the Dutch Aviation Vietnam Cluster will focus on knowledge exchange, advisory services and identifying suitable technologies to support the growth of Viet Nam’s aviation industry.

Both sides, given the importance of the maritime and inland waterway transportation; logistics and port development and management for their economies and building on earlier cooperation, are looking forward to intensifying exchange of expertise in these fields.

7. The leaders highly appreciated the recent development in the cooperation among their provincial and municipal authorities and agreed to promote the investment and technological transfer from Dutch local authorities to Vietnamese ones.

8. The leaders acknowledged the importance of the rule of law and respect for human rights, both of which are essential for sustainable development, security and stability. Prime Minister Rutte acknowledged the positive developments in Viet Nam in the field of equal rights for Lesbian, Gays, Transgender, Bisexual and Intersex (LGBTI) persons, including the joint position of both countries in the Human Rights Council on the issue, and looks forward to future cooperation on this topic. The leaders looked back with satisfaction on Dutch support for Viet Nam in implementing the UN Convention Against Torture (UNCAT) and expressed their wish to extend this cooperation.

9. The leaders reaffirmed their commitment to the ‘Paris Agreement’, signed during the 21st session of the Conference of the Parties to the 1992 United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. Both sides realized the importance of developing renewable energy. The Netherlands is pleased to be part of the Viet Nam Energy Partnership Group (VEPG) and is looking forward to its deliberations, especially on the area of energy efficiency.

10. The leaders looked back at a successful G20 Summit in Hamburg, Germany. The leaders reaffirmed their commitment to stepping up their extensive cooperation as well as mutual support in regional and international fora such as the United Nations, WTO, the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM), the ASEAN-EU cooperation in order to promote peace, stability and economic integration, sustainable and inclusive growth and prosperity. Fostering cooperation ties between these organizations, inter alia through ASEAN-EU meetings and the ASEM, can benefit the member countries. The Netherlands wishes Viet Nam much success in hosting the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation Forum in 2017.

With the establishment of the ASEAN community, both leaders expressed their determination to strengthen cooperation in order to take use of the massive market of 600 million consumers of ASEAN. The leaders welcomed the recent progress in the ASEAN-EU dynamic partnership in various areas. They expressed their commitment to enhanced ASEAN-EU relations.

The leaders discussed ways to expand their defense cooperation, especially in the area of maritime security. The leaders noted with satisfaction the recent cooperation in peacekeeping. Prime Minister Rutte commended the growing efforts of Viet Nam in UN Peacekeeping Operations. Prime Minister Phuc expressed his appreciation for the Netherlands’ assistance to Viet Nam’s Peacekeeping Center.

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11. Prime Minister Rutte and Prime Minister Phuc recognized that peace, security, stability, safety and freedom of navigation in and overflight above the South China Sea, are of strategic significance. The leaders also affirmed their full support for the peaceful resolution of disputes in accordance with international law, including the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). The leaders jointly decided to explore ways to intensify the bilateral dialogue on international law and the settlement of disputes by peaceful means. The leaders pledged to further strengthen cooperation in training experts, academic exchange among each other’s institutions and researchers in the field of international law, especially in the law of the sea.