Hanoi (VNA) – Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan’s official visits toDenmark and Norway from November 20-25 was an opportunity for Vietnam toconsolidate the friendship with its traditional partners, while bolsteringcooperation amidst rapid changes in the world and development in each country,Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang has said.

In an interview with the Vietnam News Agency, the diplomat said the visits to Denmark and Norway, thefirst made by Xuan, aimed at carrying out the 13th National Party Congress’ foreign policy of independence and self-reliance forpeace, friendship, cooperation and development, multilateralisation anddiversification of foreign relations, and deepening relations withtraditional partners.

The visits were a vivid illustration for Vietnam’s respect for Denmark andNorway – the two friendship partners in Northern Europe which have supportedVietnam during the country’s struggle for national independence in the past,and its current cause of national construction and development, she said.

Furthermore, the trips will make contributions to enhancing the relations withthe two countries which set up diplomatic ties with Vietnam more than 50 yearsago, she said, adding Xuan’s visit to Denmark took place at the time whenVietnam and Denmark marked the 10th anniversary of their Comprehensive Partnership, and right after the two nations established a greenstrategic partnership, while this was the first visit to Norway by a Vietnamesehigh-ranking leader after nearly five years.

Hang highlighted that the visits showed the resolve toexpand the traditional friendship and cooperation, which helped openup new cooperative opportunities on the basis of mutual benefits, and strengthen collaboration and supporteach other at multilateral forums.

Hangwent on to say that the visits demonstrated the Party and State’s care for Vietnamese expats, including more than 23,000 in Norway, and over 16,000 inDenmark.

Duringher stay, Xuan held talks with Danish and Norwegian leaders and received ministers andenterprises of both nations.

The visits are expected to contribute to consolidating political trust betweenVietnam and Denmark and Norway, Hang said, adding leaders of both countriesaffirmed that they have attached much importance to boosting the relations withVietnam in their policies in the region, and agreed to enhance delegationexchanges at all levels, promote the roles of bilateral cooperation frameworksand mechanisms, and closely work with Vietnam at multilateral forums as well asregional and international organisations.

Hangstressed that Xuan’s visits created new impetus for the collaboration betweenVietnam and the two countries in economy-trade-investment, especially in thefields of Denmark and Norway’s strengths, and Vietnam’s interests such asrenewable energy, sea-based economy, environment and manufacturing.

Danish leaders agreed to join hands with Vietnam to carry out the EU-VietnamFree Trade Agreement (EVFTA), and support the European Commission’s removal of its “yellow card” warning against Vietnam’s seafood.

Meanwhile, Norwegian leaders said theysupport the early conclusion and signing of a free trade deal between Vietnamand the European Free Trade Association (EFTA).

Leading enterprises from the two European countries, including CIP, Vestas,Lego, Equinor, Eagle Technology and Stena Recycling, said Vietnam holds hugepotential to attract foreign investments.

The two nations, boasting strengths in science-technology and considerableexperience in renewable energy and climate change response, said they supportVietnam in the implementation of the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP)and its commitment to net-zero target by 2050, including financial support,technology transfer and human resources training.

Additionally, the visits contributed greatly to stepping up cooperation withDenmark and Norway across the fields of culture, sports, tourism, healthcare,education, gender equality, child protection, and people-to-people exchanges.

Basedon the outcomes of the trips, competent ministries, sectors and branches willcontinue coordination and carry out specific measures to promote cooperative relations with Denmark and Norway into a stronger fashion, meeting the aspirations of their people, and contributing to regional and global peace,stability, cooperation and development./.