Deputy Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son paid a working visit to Norway from October 31- November 1 at the invitation of the Royal Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The visit was part of activities to celebrate the 40th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Vietnam and Norway (1971-2011).
During the visit, Mr Son and Norwegian Foreign Minister Jonas Gar Store attended a celebration of Vietnam-Norway diplomatic ties and the “Vietnamese Soul of Lotus” art performance organized by the Vietnamese Embassy in Norway in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism.
Mr Son also met with Norwegian Minister of Industry and Trade Giske Trond, worked with State Secretary Espen Barth Eide on the fifth annual political consultation between the two foreign ministries, and attended a seminar on promoting Vietnam’s tourism industry.
Both sides informed each other about the socio-economic statuses in their respective countries and discussed a number of measures aimed at boosting bilateral cooperation in the future.
Norway praised Vietnam’s achievements in socio-economic development and international integration, especially its efforts in maintaining high economic growth despite the doldrums of the global economy, and for continuing to raise its status in Southeast Asia and the world.
Mr Son thanked the Norwegian Government and people for their valuable support given to Vietnam over the past 40 years while affirming that Vietnam is committed to strengthening the traditional partnership with Norway, especially in crucial areas such as economics, trade, investment, cooperation and development, education, and training.
The two sides agreed to promote an exchange of visits by high-level delegations with the aim of boosting cooperation in various fields.
Norway’s Minister of Industry and Trade will lead a business delegation to Vietnam in the second quarter of next year.
Both nations will work closely to promote the Norwegian Foreign Minister and Deputy Foreign Minister’s visit to Vietnam.
They agreed to give priority to speeding up cooperation in economics, trade and investment, especially in areas of Norway’s strengths and in those Vietnam needs to bolster such as navigation, shipbuilding, energy, oil and gas, and seafood.
Norway has made a commitment to continuing to provide ODA for Vietnam in the near future by placing a greater emphasis on helping the country cope with climate change and carry out the second phase of the US$100 million UN-supported plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from deforestation and degradation (REDD).
Deputy FM Son thanked the Norwegian Government and its people for facilitating the inclusion of the Vietnamese community’s lives into Norwegian society to contribute to boosting Norway’s socio-economic development. Mr Son also thanked the Norwegian Government for promoting the ties of friendship and cooperation between the two countries.
Both sides also compared notes on international and regional issues of common concern and agreed to enhance cooperation at UN and multilateral forums such as ASEM and ASEAN.
