The welcoming ceremony for Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg is solemnly held at the Presidential Palace. Photo: Duc Tam – VNA

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung and Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg review the honour guard of the Vietnam People’s Army. Photo: Duc Tam – VNA

The Prime Ministers hold talks. Photo: Duc Tam – VNA

The Prime Ministers meet with reporters after their talks. Photo: Duc Tam – VNA

Discussing the bilateral relationship, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung and Prime Minister Erna Solberg concurred that both countries had potential and many strengths for efficient cooperation for mutual benefits. The two leaders’ views coincided in the enhancement of multi-level exchanges; continuation of existing political dialogue mechanisms; strengthening security and defence cooperation; encouragement and facilitation of interaction, market study and collaboration between the two countries’ enterprises especially in prioritised areas including marine economy, fishing, energy, information technology and green growth, among others.

The two sides agreed on the early conclusion of negotiations on the free trade agreement between Vietnam and the European Union (EFTA) in 2015, forming a favourable framework for the expansion of bilateral trade and investment in the future.

Both countries saw eye to eye on cementing the training affiliation between the two countries universities and research bodies, especially in science-technology, oil and gas, energy, fishing, agricultural management, environmental and natural resources management as well as enhancing cultural, sport and tourism exchanges in order to boost friendship and mutual understanding between the two peoples in celebration of the 45th anniversary of the Vietnam-Norway relationship in 2016.
 

State President Truong Tan Sang receives Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg. Photo: Nguyen Khang – VNA

National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung receives Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg. Photo: Nhan Sang – VNA

Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg attends and delivers a speech at the seminar themed “From Millennium Development Goals to Sustainable Development Goals: Building on Viet Nam’s Success for the Post-2015 Development Agenda”. Photo: An Dang – VNA

Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg paid a floral tribute to President Ho Chi Minh at his Mausoleum. Photo: An Dang – VNA

Regarding the East Sea issue, both Prime Ministers shared their concerns about recent developments and highlighted the need to settle all disputes through peaceful measures in conformity with international law, the United Nations’ Charter and the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. They also stressed the significance of speeding up the discussion of a binding Code of Conduct (COC), taking it as an effective tool to ensure peace, stability as well as security, safety and freedom of trade, maritime and aviation in the East Sea.

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung expressed his special thanks to the Norwegian government for providing Vietnam with substantial ODA in the past, focusing on the environment, education, gender equality, health care, as well as bomb and mine clearance. Norway is an important donor  to the United Nations programme on Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation (UN-REDD),  supporting Vietnam in its socio-economic development and international integration.

Within the framework of the visit, Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg had meetings with State President Truong Tan Sang, National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung and delivered an opening speech at the international seminar themed “From Millennium Development Goals to Sustainable Development Goals: Building on Vietnam’s Success for the Post-2015 Development Agenda”.
 
 

By VNA/VNP