Netherlands Prime Minister Mark Rutte has sent a letter to Vietnam’s Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on Friday on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Vietnam and the Netherlands. 

The diplomatic ties between Vietnam and the Netherlands were officially established on April 9, 1973. 

In the letter, PM Rutte highlighted the significance in the bilateral ties between the two countries and an optimistic outlook to the future of cooperation between both sides. 

He wrote, “It is my honour and pleasure to extend my sincere congratulations and best wishes to you and to the people of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam on the 50th anniversary of that historic occasion.

“Vietnam and the Netherlands have a lot in common. Both are delta countries, for instance. We also share an open, outward-looking, enterprising spirit.

“Furthermore, both our countries recognise the value of the rules-based international order and are committed to its protection.” 

Started as a development partner 50 years ago, now the Netherlands is the top export destination of Vietnam in Europe and the largest EU investor in Vietnam. 

Over the past 50 years, the friendly relations between Vietnam and the Netherlands have flourished in a number of areas.

Vietnam and the Netherlands are important partners in the agricultural and water sectors, as well as in the global fight against climate change.

The areas of cooperation have expanded and deepened in areas such as green energy, waste management, smart logistics, high-tech industries, electric mobility... as well as cultural exchange and people-to-people ties. 

PM Rutte wrote, “The 50th anniversary of our longstanding and constructive partnership is a major milestone. It is an opportunity for us not only to reflect on the past but also to look ahead to the future.

“The global challenges of our time require even closer and more comprehensive cooperation. I look forward to seeing what the next 50 years will bring.” 

Vietnamese PM Pham Minh Chinh and his Dutch counterpart Mark Rutte met in The Hague last December as part of PM Chinh's official visit to the Netherlands. 

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