OSLO Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc had a meeting with President of the Norwegian Parliament Tone Troen on Saturday (local time) as part of his official visit to Norway.
Both leaders expressed their delight at the positive development of relations between Việt Nam and Norway over the years, especially the relationship between the two parliaments.
They said Việt Nam and Norway have great potential for stronger co-operation in various areas.
PM Phúc conveyed Vietnamese National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyễn Thị Kim Ngân’s greetings and her invitation to the Norwegian leader to visit Việt Nam.
Troen lauded Việt Nam’s completion of the Millennium Development Goal in poverty reduction ahead of schedule, pledging that Norway will continue providing support in the field.
She said the two parliaments should increase the exchanges in law building, supervision and enforcement, while supporting each other at multilateral parliamentary forums such as the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA).
The leaders highlighted the importance of working together on economic issues and the need for the prompt signing of a Free Trade Agreement between the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) and Việt Nam.
PM Phúc proposed the parliament of Norway support the business communities of both nations to strengthen connections and partnerships, while encouraging Norwegian firms to invest more in Việt Nam in marine transport, shipbuilding, oil and gas, aquaculture, renewable energy, consumer goods and information technology.
"The Vietnamese Government is implementing policies to encourage and support foreign investors, including those from Norway, to operate effectively in the country," he said.
PM Phúc also proposed Norway open its market for Vietnamese products, especially farm produce, consumer goods and electronics.
As Việt Nam and Norway switch their relations from development co-operation to a development partnership for mutual benefit, Việt Nam expects the Norwegian parliament will back dialogues and political consultations in climate change, clean energy, the marine economy and sustainable development, he said.
The PM expressed his hope that Norway’s parliament will continue assisting the 20,000-strong Vietnamese community in the country to stabilise their lives and integrate into the host society so that they can serve as an important bridge to bring the two nations closer together.
Both leaders agreed to work together to maintain peace and ensure freedom and security of navigation and aviation in the East Sea, as well as for the peaceful settlement of disputes in line with international law, including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

Vietnamese community

On Sunday, PM Phúc and his entourage met with Vietnamese expatriates in Norway. During the meeting he said the Party and State always see the group an indispensable part of Việt Nam.

He also praised activities carried out by Vietnamese associations in the Northern European country in support of local expats.
Taking into consideration comments from participating expatriates, the Government leader said there would be measures to protect the group’s legitimate rights and interests, helping them to work and live in the host nation and make contributions to their home country.
Briefing them on affairs at home, the leader said the Party and State were willing to offer the best conditions possible for Vietnamese expats across the globe to run businesses and invest in their home country.
Việt Nam and Norway issued a joint statement on the visit to Norway by PM Nguyễn Xuân Phúc as well as agreements reached by the countries’ leaders during the visit.

In their joint statement, the prime ministers encouraged the business communities of both countries to expand their trade and investment co-operation, especially in areas like the ocean economy, green and renewable energy, information technology and consumer goods.

The leaders also welcomed the Việt Nam–Norway Business Forum held in Oslo in connection with the visit.

Meeting with businesses

PM Phúc met with representatives of leading Norwegian corporations including Kongsberg, DVL-GL, Pharmaq, Vard, Juton and Scatec Solar on Saturday.

The businesspeople said Việt Nam was attractive for foreign investors and said they were interested in bringing modern technology to the country’s maritime economy, vaccine production for fish and renewable energy.

PM Phúc said Việt Nam saw foreign investment as important, with the maritime economy a sector the country is concerned about, asking deputy minister of agriculture and rural development Lê Quốc Doanh to work with Norwegian enterprises in the field.

The Vietnamese leader hopes the countries can build a manufacturing centre together, combining ‘Made by Norway’ and ‘Made in Việt Nam’.

Việt Nam would do what it could to help Norwegian businesses succeed, he pledged.

While in Norway, PM Phúc toured facilities of Kongsberg Maritime and Pharmaq, which are leading Norwegian companies in the marine economic sector. Kongsberg Maritime offers on- and off-shore services and products for ships and has established representative offices in more than 40 countries. Pharmaq, a provider of vaccines for aquaculture, has operated in Việt Nam for 10 years with a long-term strategy for and commitment to the growth of the local sector. VNS