Vietnam Welcomes Ambassadors from Netherlands, Hungary, Australia, and Luxembourg

President Nguyen Xuan Phuc of Vietnam hosted receptions in Hanoi on September 19 for the Ambassadors of the Netherlands, Hungary, Australia, and Luxembourg. During the receptions, the Ambassadors presented their credentials to the President. This news was reported by VNA.

President Nguyen Xuan Phuc receives Dutch Ambassador Kees Van Baar. Photo: VGP

The President, Phuc, expressed gratitude to the Netherlands for their generous contribution of 1 million Covid-19 vaccine doses during their meeting with Dutch Ambassador, Kees Van Baar.

In light of the bilateral comprehensive partnership, the Ambassador expressed a desire for the European nation to make significant investments in Vietnam’s hi-tech and seaport sectors, with the goal of raising two-way trade to USD 30 billion during his tenure.

He expressed gratitude to the Netherlands for their support for Vietnam’s candidacy for the United Nations Human Rights Council for the 2023-2025 tenure. He also mentioned that Vietnam supports the Netherlands’ bid for a seat at the council for the 2024-2026 term.

During the occasion, he recommended that the Netherlands and the European Union support Vietnam and ASEAN in their commitment to upholding the rule of law in seas and oceans. This includes ensuring peace, stability, freedom, safety, and security of aviation and navigation in the South China Sea. He also emphasized the importance of peacefully resolving disputes in accordance with international law, specifically the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

Kees Van Baar, for his part, emphasized the long-lasting and trusted partnership between the Netherlands and Vietnam and looked forward to celebrating 50 years of bilateral relations in 2023. He emphasized that water management and climate change response should be one of the priorities in their bilateral ties.

He also expressed a desire to strengthen bilateral trade and investment and promote the successful operation of Dutch companies in Vietnam.

As the year 2023 commemorates the golden jubilee of diplomatic relations, it is stated that Dutch enterprises will collaborate with Vietnam to organize seminars and conferences aimed at exchanging expertise in addressing climate change. Furthermore, the Netherlands will actively advocate for the European Union to rescind the “yellow card” alert imposed on Vietnamese seafood products.

The Netherlands is a prominent trade partner and the largest investor from the European Union in Vietnam.

President Nguyen Xuan Phuc (R) and Hungarian Ambassador Baloghdi Tibor. Photo: VGP

During a meeting with Hungarian Ambassador Baloghdi Tibor, President Phuc agreed to the diplomat’s proposal of facilitating all-level visits, thus further enhancing comprehensive ties between Vietnam and Hungary. It is noteworthy that Hungary became Vietnam’s first comprehensive partner in Central and Eastern Europe in 2018.

The President expressed hope that Hungary would offer more scholarships to Vietnamese students and continue collaborating with Vietnam in the provision of official development assistance.

Tibor, for his part, expressed his desire to facilitate high-level visits and people-to-people exchanges. This includes the completion and screening of a film highlighting the bilateral friendship, as well as the enhancement of trade and investment cooperation.

Chairman of the National Assembly, Vuong Dinh, concluded his official visits to Hungary in July, achieving successful outcomes.

The bilateral trade between the two nations reached over USD 1 billion in 2020, and it increased to USD 1.1 billion in the following year.

Currently, there are more than 800 Vietnamese individuals residing and pursuing education in a European country.

The ceremony marks the official commencement of Australian Ambassador Andrew John Lech Goledzinowski’s mission in Vietnam.

In a meeting with Australian Ambassador Andrew John Lech Goledzinowski, the President conveyed his satisfaction with the inauguration of the Vietnam-Australia Centre in Vietnam.

He proposed that Australia create favorable conditions for its Vietnamese community and streamline procedures for Vietnamese students to return to the country. He also emphasized the importance of enhancing people-to-people exchanges and cooperation in areas such as climate change response, energy transition, digital economy, and hi-tech agriculture.

President Phuc expressed his desire for the ambassador to strongly enhance bilateral cooperation in areas such as trade, investment, national defense, security, agriculture, and labor, among others, during his term.

The State leader expressed gratitude to Australia for generously providing Vietnam with 22.2 million doses of Covid vaccines, making them the second largest donor of Covid vaccines to the Southeast Asian nation.

The ambassador emphasized Australia’s desire to enhance bilateral relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership, and to further strengthen ties in the healthcare sector.

Ambassador Goledzinowski is excited about the opportunity to engage with the Australian community and collaborate closely with Vietnam in the coming years to further enhance the bilateral relationship. Particularly significant will be the joint efforts during the upcoming celebrations commemorating the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations.

During the meeting, he conveyed the Australian Governor-General’s invitation to President Phuc to visit the country.

Trade and investment have become a prominent focus in bilateral relations, with two-way trade reaching USD 9.6 billion in the first seven months of this year, representing an impressive annual increase of almost 40%. Significant advancements have also been achieved in areas such as combating crimes, promoting cultural exchange, enhancing educational cooperation, boosting tourism, and facilitating labor mobility.

Vietnamese Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son and her Australian counterpart Penny Wong recently co-chaired the fourth Vietnam-Australia Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Canberra during Minister Son’s official visit to Australia.

President Nguyen Xuan Phuc and Ambassador of Luxembourg Patrick Hemmer (R). Photo: VNA

During the reception held for Ambassador Patrick Hemmer of Luxembourg, President Phuc emphasized Vietnam’s unwavering commitment to fostering friendship and cooperation with Luxembourg. This commitment extends to Vietnam’s broader relations with the European Union.

Vietnam is seeking to establish cooperation with Luxembourg in multiple areas, including green development, education training, and hi-tech, stated the representative.

The President has also expressed support for the European nation’s endorsement of Vietnam’s candidacy for a seat in the UN Human Rights Council for the 2023-2025 period. Moreover, the President has emphasized the importance of collaborating closely with Vietnam to commemorate the upcoming 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations next year.

Hemmer agreed with the President’s proposal to enhance two-way trade and investment ties, particularly in the green economy.

The ambassador expressed gratitude to Vietnam for its support of Luxembourg’s candidacy for the UN Human Rights Council during the 2022-2024 term. He also assured that Luxembourg will continue to support Vietnam at various multilateral forums and its bid for a seat in the council for the 2023-2025 tenure.

Vietnam and Luxembourg established diplomatic relations in 1973. After twenty years, the two countries began their development cooperation. In 1995, Vietnam was officially recognized as a partner country by Luxembourg.

The two countries began their development cooperation in the 1990s, signing their first General Cooperation Agreement in 1995. Since then, Luxembourg has provided Vietnam with approximately EUR 129 million in non-refundable Official Development Assistance (ODA), which has been greatly instrumental in advancing the nation’s socio-economic development.

Currently, there are approximately 5.3 million Vietnamese individuals residing abroad, with approximately 13,000 of them residing in Belgium and Luxembourg.