Denmark, Vietnam develop strategic partnership
(VOV) - Both countries have agreed to further strengthen their strategic partnership in the areas of climate change, the environment, energy and green growth.
Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung held talks with his Danish counterpart Helle Thorning Schimidt in Hanoi on November 8 immediately after a welcome ceremony for the Danish leader.
Dung expressed his thanks to the Danish Government and people for their valuable assistance to Vietnam during the past struggles for national independence and unification, as well as during the current Doi Moi (Renewal) process.
He praised the Danish-funded projects for Vietnam’s priority development areas such as water supply and drainage, waste water treatment, environmental hygiene, vocational training and poverty reduction, all of which have helped Vietnam fulfil UN development goals ahead of schedule.
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The Danish PM said she is pleased to visit Vietnam for the first time and applauded the tremendous renewal achievements the Vietnamese people have attained over the years, as well as the country’s rising regional and international status.
Denmark is keen to boost all-round cooperation with Vietnam, particularly in the development of the green economy, renewable energy, maritime transport, oil and gas exploitation and responses to climate change.
The two countries need to closely coordinate and support each other at regional and international forums, she said.
The two PMs underlined the need to prioritise economic and trade ties to achieve a two-way trade turnover of US$1 billion by promoting Danish business investment in Vietnam. They also exchanged views on international and regional issues of common concern.
PM Dung asked Denmark to continue supporting Vietnam’s comprehensive relations with the EU, adding that as a coordinator for ASEAN-EU relations, Vietnam is also in a good position to facilitate the relationship between ASEAN and Denmark.
Danish PM Schimidt voiced her country’s strong support for the settling of disputes in the East Sea through peaceful means in accordance with international law as well as fast tracking the development of Vietnam-EU relations following the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA) and negotiations commenced for a free trade area (FTA).
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After their talks, the two PMs witnessed the signing of several cooperation agreements on enterprise reform, energy and the oil and gas industry.