Vietnam and the Netherlands have reinforced their commitment to expanding bilateral cooperation during their latest deputy minister-level political consultation held in Hanoi. The meeting, co-chaired by Vietnamese Deputy Foreign Minister Lê Thị Thu Hằng and her Dutch counterpart Marcel de Vink, focused on reviewing the progress of their diplomatic relations and exploring opportunities for further collaboration in various sectors.
Vietnam emphasized its ambitious development goals of achieving upper-middle-income status by 2030 and becoming a developed, high-income nation by 2045. To reach these milestones, the country intends to leverage science and technology, innovation, and digital transformation as key drivers of sustainable economic growth. As part of this vision, Vietnam called for a deeper implementation of the Comprehensive Partnership and existing strategic cooperation frameworks with the Netherlands, alongside stronger collaboration in areas such as trade, investment, sustainable agriculture, and climate adaptation.
The Vietnamese government also urged the Netherlands to support the ratification of the EU–Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement and advocated for the removal of trade barriers affecting seafood exports. In response, Dutch officials, recognizing Vietnam as a vital partner in the Asia-Pacific region, expressed a desire to enhance ties by sending larger business delegations and expanding cooperation in high-technology sectors, including semiconductors, artificial intelligence, and scientific research.
Both countries agreed to bolster cooperation in security, defense, justice, culture, tourism, and people-to-people exchanges, highlighting the importance of strengthening connections between local governments and businesses. On the international stage, they reiterated their commitment to multilateralism, free trade, and resolving disputes peacefully according to international law. Emphasizing the importance of maintaining peace and stability, particularly under the framework of the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, both sides underscored the significance of freedom of navigation and overflight.