Vietnam and the Netherlands have reinforced their commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation during their second deputy minister-level political consultation held in Hanoi. The meeting, co-chaired by Vietnamese Deputy Foreign Minister Lê Thị Thu Hằng and Dutch Deputy Foreign Minister Marcel de Vink, focused on expanding collaboration across various sectors. Both officials acknowledged the progress in diplomatic relations between the two nations and noted the positive developments in economic cooperation and regional and international coordination.
Vietnam outlined its ambitious development goals, aiming to achieve upper-middle-income status by 2030 and become a developed, high-income nation by 2045. To realize these targets, Vietnam plans to leverage science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation as the cornerstones of its sustainable growth strategy. The Vietnamese delegation encouraged the Netherlands to engage more deeply in their Comprehensive Partnership and to enhance existing strategic cooperation frameworks, particularly in trade, investment, sustainable agriculture, climate adaptation, and green transition.
Highlighting the importance of trade relations, Vietnam urged support for the EU–Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement and called for the removal of trade barriers affecting seafood exports. Meanwhile, the Netherlands reiterated its commitment to reinforcing ties with Vietnam, praising the country as a key and reliable partner in the Asia-Pacific region. Dutch officials expressed a desire to send larger business delegations to Vietnam and to expand cooperation in high-technology sectors, including semiconductors, artificial intelligence, scientific research, and workforce development.
Both nations agreed to amplify their collaboration in security, defense, justice, culture, tourism, and people-to-people exchanges, while promoting stronger connections between local governments and businesses. On the international stage, they reaffirmed their support for multilateralism, free trade, and the peaceful settlement of disputes in line with international law. Emphasizing the significance of maintaining peace and stability, the two sides underscored the importance of freedom of navigation and overflight, particularly under the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea framework.