Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (L) and Mayor of Amsterdam Femke Halsema (Photo: VNA)

The PM said his visit to the European country aims to elevate the relations between the two countries, including cooperation with Amsterdam, especially in the context that the two countries will celebrate the 50th founding anniversary of their diplomatic ties in 2023.

He spoke highly of the good friendship and cooperation between Hanoi and Amsterdam, saying that the Hanoi-Amsterdam High School for the Gifted is a symbol of the friendship between the two cities.

Chinh expressed his impression on Amsterdam's achievements in economic, cultural and education development, and in solving urban environmental challenges.

He suggested Amsterdam authorities promote cooperation with localities of Vietnam, especially with Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, focusing on the fields of investment, environmental protection, circular economy, urban planning, people-to-people exchange, and tourism.

In the context that Vietnam and the Netherlands enter a new stage of development based on the spirit of win-win cooperation, Amsterdam and Vietnamese localities need to build new cooperation frameworks to further develop the bilateral ties in a more practical and effective manner, the Vietnamese leader said.

For her part, Halsema said she believes that PM Chinh’s visit open a more effective development period for the relations between the two countries as well as between Amsterdam and Vietnamese localities.

Amsterdam and Hanoi have partnered in many practical cooperation projects in recent times, she said, adding that Amsterdam wishes to expand cooperation with Hanoi in areas that Amsterdam has strengths such as energy conversion, waste and urban flooding treatment, urban planning towards smart and sustainable development.

She expressed her concern about the challenges related to climate change, including rising sea level that localities in the Mekong Delta are facing, affirming her willingness to cooperate and share experience with Vietnam in these fields.

Mayor Halsema expressed her desire to visit Vietnam at the invitation of PM Chinh, and said that she is willing to receive Hanoi and HCM City leaders in Amsterdam for discussing specific cooperation projects.

On the occasion, PM Chinh received a number of leaders of Dutch businesses.