Vietnam and the Netherlands sign an agreement on Strategic Partnership in Agriculture

(VOVworld)- The Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte arrived in Hanoi on Monday for a two-day official visit to Vietnam at the invitation of Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung. At talks held after the welcoming ceremony, the two Prime Ministers agreed to maintain delegation exchanges, and facilitate their enterprises and investors to enhance partnerships and improve efficiency. They agreed to enhance cooperation in climate change adaptation, water resource management, agriculture, energy, marine economy, ship building, national defense and cooperation between localities. Speaking to reporters following the talks, the two Prime Ministers said the two countries officially established a Strategic Partnership in Agriculture and Food Security saying that this will be the key to bilateral cooperation in the near future. Vietnam and the Netherlands agreed to strengthen cooperation in oil and gas, sea port, and logistics. The two Prime Ministers agreed to enhance bilateral cooperation in regional and global forums, especially within the UN, ASEM, and ASEAN-EU. Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung said: “The Dutch Prime Minister and I share deep concerns over current situation in the East Sea. The Dutch Prime Minister confirmed his stance in line with the EU statement on May 8, 2014 and supported the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ statement on May 10, 2014 regarding the situation, urging the  relevant parties, based on the principles of international law, especially the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, to practice restraint, avoid actions that could harm regional peace and stability, resolve disputes by peaceful measures, not use or threaten to use force. The two sides stressed the importance of peace, stability, security, safety, and freedom of marine and air navigation in the East Sea and complete compliance with the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea and the finalization of the Code of  Conduct of Parties in the East Sea.”

The two Prime Ministers witnessed the signing of cooperative deals between petroleum companies. Finally, they issued a joint-statement on the Dutch Prime Minister’s official visit to Vietnam.

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung hosted a banquet for his Dutch counterpart and his entourage in the evening.