Oslo (VNA) – Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc had a meeting with Presidentof the Norwegian Parliament Tone Troen on May 24 (local time) as part of his officialvisit to Norway.

Bothleaders expressed their delight at the positive development of relationsbetween Vietnam and Norway as well as between the parliaments in particular overthe years.

Theyheld that Vietnam and Norway boast great potential for stronger cooperation invarious areas.

PMPhuc conveyed Vietnamese National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan’s greetingsand invitation to the Norwegian leader to visit Vietnam.

Troenlauded Vietnam’s completion of the Millennium Development Goal in povertyreduction ahead of schedule, pledging that Norway will continue supportingVietnam in the field.

Shesaid that in the coming time, the two parliaments should increase the exchangeof experience in law building, supervision and enforcement, while supportingeach other at multilateral parliamentary forums such as the Inter-ParliamentaryUnion (IPU) and ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA).

Theleaders highlighted the significance of economic cooperation and the need forthe soon signing of a Free Trade Agreement between the European Free TradeAssociation (EFTA) and Vietnam.

PMPhuc proposed the parliament of Norway support the business communities of bothnations to strengthen connections and partnerships, while encouraging Norwegianfirms to invest more in Vietnam in marine transport, shipbuilding, oil and gas,aquaculture, renewable energy, consumer goods, and information technology.

TheVietnamese Government is implementing many policies to encourage and supportforeign investors, including those from Norway, to operate effectively inVietnam for a long term, he stressed.

PMPhuc also proposed that Norway open its market for Vietnamese traditionalproducts, especially farm produce, consumer goods and electronics products.

Inthe context that Vietnam and Norway are switching their relations fromdevelopment cooperation to development partnership for mutual benefit, Vietnamexpects that the Norwegian parliament will back dialogue mechanisms andpolitical consultations as well as other new cooperation methods, especially inclimate change, clean energy, blue economy and sustainable development, hesaid.

ThePM expressed his hope that Norway’s parliament will continue assisting the20,000-strong Vietnamese community in the country to stabilise their lives andwell integrate into the host society, so that they could work as an importantbridge to enhance the friendship, mutual understanding and close relationshipbetween the two nations.

Bothleaders agreed to work together in maintaining peace and ensuring freedom and securityof navigation and aviation in the East Sea, as well as the peaceful settlementof disputes in line with international law, including the 1982 UN Convention onthe Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).-VNA