“Norway’s official development assistance (ODA) has been effectively used by Vietnam to eradicate poverty, develop its education system and carry out administrative reform,” National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Phu Trong told a visiting Norwegian parliamentary delegation on September 25.
NA Chairman Trong expressed hope that the visit of the Norwegian Parliament’s Committee on Foreign Affairs, which coincided with the 35th anniversary of the Vietnam-Norway diplomatic ties, would help boost the co-operation between the two countries.
He briefed the guests of the activities of the Vietnamese NA and expressed his wish that the two parliaments would exchange more visits as well as experiences in the future.
Olav Akselsen, Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the Norwegian Parliament, said the delegation expected to learn about the organization and operation of the Vietnamese NA. He stressed the visit aimed to strengthen the mutual understanding and relations of the two countries and hoped that bilateral co-operation would be further developed in potential fields, especially aquatic production.
Earlier, the Norwegian parliamentary delegation had talks with a delegation of the Committee for Foreign Affairs of the Vietnamese NA led by its Chairman Vu Mao.
The Vietnamese side affirmed the foreign policy of independence, multi-lateralization and diversification, and integration into the international and regional economies.
The Norwegian side supported Vietnam’s accession to the World Trade Organization and its candidacy to non-permanent member of the UN Security Council in the 2008-2009 period.
The same day, the Norwegian delegation was received by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Phu Binh.
During the four-day visit, which began on September 24, the delegation will go to Hue city, Quang Tri province and Ho Chi Minh City.
