Minister of Public Security sanguine on growing ties with Norway

Despite enduring difficulties caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the two countries were able to maintain online consultations, with two-way trade turnover increasing slightly compared to 2019, hitting more than US$500 million.

As a means of further promoting bilateral ties in general, with a specific focus on those between the Ministry of Public Security and Norwegian partners in particular, Minister Lam suggested that the two sides continue to strengthen co-ordination at multilateral forums and the UN. This should be done as well as enhancing collaboration in the fields of education, tourism, sports, culture, and people-to-people exchanges.

They should strive to facilitate co-operation between the Vietnamese Ministry and the Ministry of Justice and Public Security, along with the police of Norway as part of efforts to develop a mechanism for exchanging information on transnational crimes relating to the two countries.

This is along with negotiating and signing co-operation documents on crime prevention and combat, extradition, and the transfer of people sentenced to prison, he said. The organisation of workshops will share experiences on crime prevention, especially those relating to human trafficking and child abuse, with it being important for these events to be promoted, Minister Lam added.

The Minister affirmed that his Ministry will actively support the Ambassador to fulfill her duties, thereby promoting the friendship that exists between Vietnam and Norway.

For her part, Ambassador Solbakken said that she will strive to boost the joint bilateral relationship forward, as well as the relationship between Norwegian law enforcement agencies and the Ministry, moving forward.