Vietnam Wants Norway to Continue to Grant ODA

 

Congratulating Ms Siren Gjerme Eriksen designated as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Kingdom of Norway to Vietnam, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung expressed his pleasure at the positive development of the two countries' bilateral relations. The Prime Minister said at the meeting between the Prime Ministers of the two countries on the sidelines of the 10th ASEM Summit in Italy, the two parties reaffirmed their continuous strong cooperation which continue to get deeper, more efficient and practical.

 

Emphasising that the cooperation potential between Vietnam and Norway is great, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung wanted the two sides to further strengthen cooperation in politics and diplomacy, support each other's stance in international fora, consider cooperation in economics, trade and investment the focus of cooperation between the two countries. The Prime Minister also hoped that Norway would continue to grant ODA for Vietnam to focus on coping with climate change, disaster prevention, sustainable poverty reduction. The Prime Minister also wanted the two sides to promote cooperation in science and technology, health, education, culture and tourism.

 

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung also appreciated the positive role of Norway in promoting the finalising of negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement between Vietnam and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) including Norway, Switzerland, Iceland and Liechtenstein. The Prime Minister firmly believed that the signing of this agreement will bring practical benefits, contributing to strong trade and investment cooperation between the two sides.

 

Appreciating the development as well as economic growth and dynamism of Vietnam, Ambassador Siren Gjerme Eriksen affirmed that Norway would put forth its best efforts and coordinate with ministries and agencies of Vietnam in the implementation of the cooperation agreements the two sides signed. Also it would promote new cooperation programmes in various fields, particularly in cooperation in economics, trade, investment, tourism, maritime, manufacturing of consumer goods, information technology, high technology and telecommunications. The Ambassador said that next month a business forum between Norway and Vietnam will be held in Ho Chi Minh City.

 

Norwegian Ambassador appreciated the importance of the Vietnam - EU Free Trade Agreement in promoting economic, trade and investment relations between Vietnam and the EU in general and Vietnam and Norway in particular. She believed that this agreement would be signed in the upcoming year.

 

Ambassador Siren Gjerm Eriksen affirmed that Norway had always attached great importance to promoting cooperation with Vietnam in coping with climate change and sea level rise, and also wanted to cooperate with Vietnam in multilateral fora such as the United Nations, ASEM and ASEAN.