The Finnish Embassy in Hanoi and the Vietnam-Finland Friendship Association hosted a seminar in Hanoi on Dec. 8 to mark the 35th anniversary of Vietnam-Finland diplomatic ties.
In the 1994-2006 period, Finland channelled a total 200 million USD into 32 projects, which involved forestry, rural development, poverty reduction, culture and energy.
According to Finnish Ambassador Pekka Hyvonen, Vietnam and Finland need to boost mutual understanding, focusing on trade and economic cooperation.
The friendship organisations of both countries should uphold their roles as links to promote bilateral cooperation and friendship, he said.
According to the People’s Aid Coordinating Committee, between the 1973-1993 period, Vietnam received 180 million USD in the form of non-refundable aid from Finland, focusing on the building of Hai Phong City’s Pha Rung Shipyard and the building and upgrading of water systems in Hanoi and Hai Phong.
In the 1994-2006 period, Finland channelled a total 200 million USD into 32 projects, which involved forestry, rural development, poverty reduction, culture and energy.
For the 2007-2009 period, Finland committed to provide 17 million USD for the second phase of Vietnam’s Programme 135, which focuses on hunger alleviation and poverty reduction in remote and poorest communes.
Finland pledged 31.7 million USD of Official Development Assistance to Vietnam in 2008 compared to 24.1 million USD committed for the previous year, placing seventh among EU donors.
Vietnam has also set up relations with seven Finland-based non-governmental organisations involving in providing small credits for the poor, vocational training and anti-human trafficking.
Participants to the seminar also discussed the prospects of future cooperation between the two countries and operation orientation of the Vietnam-Finland Friendship Organisation.
