Statement after meeting with the Prime Minister of Vietnam

I am pleased to receive Prime Minister Phuc and his delegation from Vietnam. The Prime Minister and I had a good and productive meeting today.

The bilateral relationship between Norway and Vietnam has long traditions and spans from development cooperation to trade and investment. We appreciate the close cooperation between Norway and Vietnam on global and regional challenges and issues. 

Trade and business cooperation is an important element of our bilateral relations and we will continue the efforts to expand the cooperation.

I would like to see increased business cooperation in areas such as the marine and maritime sector, renewable energy and LNG. We are also committed to an early conclusion of a free trade agreement between Vietnam and Norway.

I have congratulated the Prime Minister on Vietnam’s commitment to incorporate the Sustainable Development Goals in Vietnam’s national development strategy, as well as the achievements in reducing the national poverty rate.

In order to realize the SDGs, we have a shared interest in keeping our oceans healthy and productive. We discussed how our two countries can work together, both bilaterally and multilaterally on solutions to this global challenge.

Both Norway and Vietnam rely on our marine resources and our oceans, and our future depends on managing the oceans in a sustainable way. We have discussed increased cooperation between our two countries in areas such as green shipping, modernizing the fishery sector, incl. aquaculture and renewable energy.  And we have discussed the importance of a world order based on international law.

Norway looks forward to working closely with Vietnam during Vietnam’s chairmanship of ASEAN  in 2020. I believe there is great potential for further cooperation between Norway and ASEAN.