Ambassador Grete Lochen on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Norway and Vietnam
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Norway and Vietnam and recently Norwegian Ambassador to Vietnam Grete Lochen had a brief talk with VTC news about the occasion.
The ambassador said 2021 is a special year for Vietnam and Norway, celebrating the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries. In 1971, along with other Nordic countries, Norway was one of the first Western countries to establish diplomatic relations with Vietnam.
Together, the two countries have traveled a course of five decades with many support and cooperation activities. From traditional cooperation to development aid, the relationship between the two countries is developing more and more in many areas.
“The ocean connects our two countries,” said the ambassador and explained that one of the strengths of cooperation between Norway and Vietnam is the fishing sector. Norway supported Vietnam in drafting the first fisheries law. Cooperation in this field is increasingly close and has extended to the field of industrial marine aquaculture.
Last May, the Norwegian Ministry of Fisheries and the Vietnamese Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development signed a letter of intent to cooperate in the field of marine aquaculture. The environment, climate change is also an area to be highlighted, said the ambassador and added: “In addition, renewable energies are also a potential area of cooperation, attracting more and more interest from Norwegian companies operating in the field of solar and wind energy. “
According to the ambassador, it is also worth mentioning the cooperation between the two countries in the field of education and training, in particular the long-standing reliable partnership between Norwegian universities and the University of Nha Trang in Vietnam on aquaculture. The maritime sector is also another form of cooperation. Both countries have a long coastline and Norway is a country of long and experienced navigation, Norwegian shipbuilders are also present and have been working in Vietnam for many years.
“The Norwegian government recently decided to set up a climate investment fund. It is a global fund, but it will focus on supporting investments in renewable energy sectors in developing economies to convert green energy from coal to renewable energy. It is a pleasure that Vietnam is one of the countries that will benefit from this Fund. I am very happy with this news from the Norwegian government and hope that through it, the two countries can continue to work together to achieve the goal of the Paris Agreement on climate change, which is to reduce emissions. », Declared the ambassador.
Read the full interview here