Promoting stronger cooperation between Vietnam and Denmark and Norway

At the end of Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan's official visit to Denmark and Norway, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang gave an interview to the press about the visit.

Reporter: Could you please tell us the purpose and significance of the recent official visit to the Kingdom of Denmark and the Kingdom of Norway by Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan?

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang: At the invitation of Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Denmark Mette Frederiksen and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Norway Gahr Store, Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan paid an official visit to the Kingdom of Denmark and the Kingdom of Norway from November 20 to 25, 2023. This is the first visit by a Vietnamese Vice President to Denmark and Norway, which is of great significance to Vietnam as well as the two countries, both as an opportunity to strengthen friendly relations with traditional partners and to enhance cooperation in the new context with rapid changes in the world situation as well as the development requirements of each country.

First of all, the visit is an activity to continue to strongly implement the foreign policy set forth by the 13th Party Congress on independence, self-reliance for peace, friendship, cooperation and development, multilateralization, diversification of foreign relations, deepening relations with comprehensive partners and traditional partners. Through the visit, we show our respect for the Kingdom of Denmark and the Kingdom of Norway, two friendly countries in Northern Europe that have given Vietnam important support in the past struggle for national independence and in the current cause of national construction and development.

Second, the Vice President's visit contributes to further strengthening the relationship between Vietnam and Denmark and Norway, the two countries with more than 50 years of diplomatic relations. The visit takes place on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the Comprehensive Partnership between Vietnam and Denmark and right after the two countries established the Green Strategic Dialogue. For Norway, this is also the first visit by a senior Vietnamese leader in nearly 5 years. The visit demonstrates the determination of Vietnam and the two countries to expand and deepen the traditional friendship and cooperation, opening up many new cooperation opportunities on the basis of mutually beneficial cooperation, exploiting advantages and meeting each other's needs; at the same time, consolidating the basis for cooperation and mutual support in multilateral forums.

The visit also demonstrates the attention and care of the Party and State leaders for overseas Vietnamese, with more than 23,000 people in Norway and more than 16,000 people in Denmark, and is a step to implement Conclusion 12 of the Politburo on the work of overseas Vietnamese in the new situation.

Reporter: Could you please tell us about the important developments and results achieved during the visit? What contributions did the visit make to the development of Vietnam's relations with Denmark and Norway?

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang: With a rich schedule of activities and practical exchanges, the Vice President held talks with the Prime Minister, met with the Royal Family and the Chairman of the National Assembly, received a number of Ministers and leaders of leading corporations and enterprises, visited a number of cultural establishments, presented books, paid a working visit to the Embassies and met with overseas Vietnamese representatives in the two countries. It can be affirmed that the visit was a great success, achieving the set goals and requirements, bringing about very positive, specific and practical results in many aspects. Notably:

Firstly, the visit contributed to strengthening political trust between Vietnam and Denmark and Norway. The Royal Family, the Government and National Assembly leaders, and leaders of ministries, sectors and localities of both countries gave the Vice President and his delegation a warm and respectful welcome; repeatedly emphasizing their special affection for the country and people of Vietnam as well as highly appreciating Vietnam's socio-economic development achievements and international position. Both countries affirmed their importance in strengthening relations with Vietnam in their overall policy towards the region; agreed on the basis of good cooperation to increase delegation exchanges and contacts at all levels, especially high-level; promote the role of bilateral cooperation frameworks and mechanisms; closely coordinate and support each other at multilateral forums, regional and international organizations; and hope that Vietnam will support the strengthening of the two countries' relations with ASEAN. During the meetings, the two sides also shared many similar views on regional and international issues of mutual concern, such as the importance of international cooperation in addressing global challenges, resolving disputes by peaceful means, on the basis of respect for international law. In Norway, the two sides issued a joint press release expressing the high consensus between the two sides on many areas of cooperation.

Second, the visit created new momentum for cooperation between Vietnam and the two countries in the pillar areas of economy - trade - investment. The Vice President and the leaders of the two countries agreed that economic, trade and investment cooperation has much room for development; affirmed to create conditions and encourage businesses of the two countries to strengthen cooperation, especially in areas where Denmark and Norway have strengths and Vietnam has demand such as renewable energy, marine economy, environment, manufacturing industry, etc. Danish leaders agreed to closely coordinate with Vietnam in implementing the Vietnam - EU Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA); promote support for the EC to remove the IUU yellow card for Vietnam's seafood exports. Norwegian leaders supported the early conclusion of negotiations and signing of the Free Trade Agreement between Vietnam and the EFTA bloc.

Leading corporations of the two countries (CIP, Vestas, Lego... of Denmark and Equinor, Eagle Technology, Stena Recycling... of Norway) all believe that Vietnam has a lot of potential and advantages to attract foreign investment.

Third, as countries with strengths in science and technology, experience in renewable energy development, leading in climate change response, and also important parties participating in the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) framework between Vietnam and the Group of International Partners, both Denmark and Norway support Vietnam in the process of implementing JETP and fulfilling the commitments made at COP 26 on achieving net zero emissions by 2050, including sharing experiences in policy and institutional development, financial support, technology transfer and human resource training. Denmark and Vietnam will prioritize the early implementation of the Green Strategic Partnership framework. Norway and Vietnam will also coordinate to study the possibility of building strategic cooperation frameworks in the fields of sustainable ocean economy, green transition, climate change response, and renewable energy.

Fourthly, the visit has contributed to promoting cooperation between Vietnam and the two countries in the fields of culture, sports, tourism, health, education, gender equality, child protection, and people-to-people exchange. During the visit, the Vietnamese and Danish Ministries of Health exchanged a Memorandum of Understanding on Health Cooperation. The Vietnamese and Norwegian Ministries of Foreign Affairs also agreed to soon sign an Agreement on visa exemption for diplomatic passport holders.

Fifth, in his discussions with the leaders of Denmark and Norway, the Vice President requested the host countries to facilitate living, studying and working conditions for the Vietnamese community in the two countries. The leaders of the two countries assessed that the Vietnamese community has integrated very well and has made positive contributions to the host country as well as to bilateral relations. The Vice President listened to the thoughts and feelings of the people at meetings with the Vietnamese community in both countries, and welcomed the community for promoting the good qualities of the Vietnamese people, uniting, making positive contributions to the host society, and becoming a bridge of friendship and cooperation between Vietnam and the two countries. The Vice President also directed the Vietnamese Embassies in the two countries to continue to promote their frontline role on the foreign affairs front, advise the Party and State on issues that need to be promoted in bilateral relations, maintain and develop close relations, behave well with local authorities, and at the same time be a trusted address for overseas Vietnamese, carry out citizen protection work well, and encourage them to turn to their homeland and country.

In summary, the official visit to the Kingdom of Denmark and the Kingdom of Norway by Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan was a great success. Based on the results achieved during the visit, the relevant ministries, departments and sectors of each country will continue to coordinate and implement specific measures to promote the cooperative relations between Vietnam and Denmark and Norway to develop more strongly, meeting the aspirations and interests of the people, and actively contributing to peace, stability, cooperation and development in the two continents and in the world.

Reporter: Thank you, Deputy Minister./.

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