The Government of Norway is willing to help Vietnam after it becomes a member of the World Trade Organization (WTO), pledged Jorg Bronebakk, Deputy Secretary General of the Norwegian Foreign Ministry, at a meeting with Foreign Affairs Minister Nguyen Dy Nien.
Bronebakk reaffirmed that the Norwegian government also supports Vietnam’s renewal process (Doi Moi) at the meeting on March 14.
The guest agreed with the proposal made by Nien to call on the Norwegian enterprise circle to invest more in as well as extend their business in Vietnam.
In related news, on March 13, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Cong Phung and the Norwegian official co-chaired the first-ever political consultation (PC) between the foreign ministries of the two countries in Hanoi.
The gathering discussed directions and measures to boost the two ministries’ bonds.
Besides, the two sides concurred to hold annual PCs aiming to share views on hot issues and enhance their cooperation during international forums.
A pledge to support Vietnam’s run for non-permanent member of the United Nation was made by the Norwegian side at the meeting.
Vietnam and Norway established diplomatic ties in November 1971, the relationship was interrupted by the war between Vietnam and Cambodia from 1979-1985.
In recent years, the two countries relations are strongly warming. Two-way trade reached US$42 million in 2004. Of the figure, Vietnam exported US$23,5 million to the foreign market and imported from it around US$18,4 million of goods.
Since 1975, Norway has given Vietnam a total of US$180 million in non-refundable aid and loans. The former had provided the latter with US$7-8 million a year, including US$5-6 million in non-refundable aid since 1991. During PM Phan Van Khai's visit to Norway in September 1999, the Norwegian government agreed to list Vietnam among its regular ODA recipients.
The People, VNA
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