Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte paid an official visit to Viet Nam on April 9 at the invitation of Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc.

The official welcome ceremony for Prime Minister Mark Rutte was held at the Presidential Palace in Ha Noi the same day.

The two Prime Ministers acknowledged the significance of the bilateral cooperation to both Viet Nam and the Netherlands and they decided to upgrade their relationship to a comprehensive partnership.

Earlier in October 2010, both countries established Strategic Partnership on climate change adaptation and water management.

Both countries also established Strategic Partnership on sustainable development and food security in June 2014.

Both sides emphasized their shared commitment to inclusive and sustainable development as reflected in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) agenda.

Both sides reaffirmed that the Viet Nam-EU Free Trade Agreement and Investment Protection Agreement are important frameworks for further strengthening the economic, trade and investment relations among stakesholders.

Both sides reaffirmed that their Strategic Partnerships on Climate Change Adaptation and Water Management, and on Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security had been productive and would remain pillars of their Comprehensive Partnership.

Both sides also agreed to maximize the achievements of the Strategic Partnership for Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security.

Both sides noted with satisfaction the cooperation between and among their municipal authorities in recent years.

Both sides voiced support for strengthening effective multilateral cooperation, respect for international rule of law and trade liberalization.

Both sides acknowledged the importance of the promotion of the rule of law and human rights.

Both sides expressed their support to efforts to build a strong and prosperous ASEAN Community and further step up the ASEAN-EU cooperation.

Both sides reaffirmed the importance of peace, security, and stability in the South China Sea.

During his visit, Mark Rutte met with Party General Secretary and State President Nguyen Phu Trong and NA Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan.

Prime Minister Mark Rutte and Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister Vuong Dinh Hue attended the CEO Roundtable in Ha Noi.

The CEO Roundtable drew the participation of leaders from 70 the Netherlands' leading businesses and representatives of Vietnamese ministries and agencies./. VGP