Current relations between Denmark and Viet Nam are developing on a right track, changing from assistance by the Scandinavian country to comprehensive cooperation between both nations, especially economic ties, remarked a visiting Danish senior official.
Speaking at a press briefing held in Hanoi on March 28 during his five-day visit to Vietnam, Mr Federspiel said Denmark is one of the world-leaders countries in using energy in the most effective way and it has a good record in terms of energy saving over the past ten years.
Environment protection is one of three priorities in Viet Nam’s socio-economic development plan in the next five years, he said and Denmark is willing to give assistance in this matter.
“We are willing to share the experience to help Vietnam save energy in environment-friendly ways,” he affirmed.
However Federspiel stressed that the high economic growth scored by Denmark over the past ten years have had no impacts on energy consumption thanks to the use of regenerated energy sources and wind power.
At the news briefing, Mr Federspiel also announced the results of his talks with Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Sinh Hung and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Cong Phung. He said that a plan to establish an Inter-governmental Committee between the two countries on cooperation in investment, economy and technology transfer was put into practice.
Deputy PM Hung highly appreciated Denmark’s valuable assistance to Viet Nam through various projects with annual investment of 60-70 million USD. He also thanked for backing Viet Nam’s candidacy to the non-permanent seat of the UN Security Council.
The committee will have annual or extraordinary meetings in order to solve difficulties relating to tax and administrative procedures. In addition, the committee could also suggest other measures for further expanding the co-operation such as organising conferences and promoting trade. Last year, Vietnam’s exports to Denmark were more than its imports although Denmark’s exports to Vietnam increased by 50% compared with 2005.
“More and more Danish businessmen pay more attention to Vietnamese market. Several Danish delegations have visited Vietnam to investigate opportunities to co-operate and invest over the last few years,” added Mr Federspiel. “Next month, another delegation including more than 30 businessmen specialising in information technology will come to Vietnam,” he revealed.
“Denmark now lacks skilled workers and this is a potential area for expanding co-operation between businesses of the two countries,” he unveiled.
During his stay in Vietnam, the Danish Secretary of State is expected to hold talks with Vietnamese high-ranking officials, visit some development projects sponsored by Denmark in Vietnam and host a meeting in Hanoi with Danish Ambassadors to Asia.
