Norway Willing to Cooperate with Vietnam in Offshore Wind Power: Norwegian Official

At the meeting between State Secretary of the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Erling Rimestad told Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Dang Hoang An. Photo: Industry and Trade Magazine

Rimestad stressed the strong cooperative ties between the two countries across myriad sectors and similarities such as geographical coastline advantages and the strength in the fisheries industry, VietnamPlus reported.

He also took the occasion to discuss the prospects of Norway’s investment in renewable energy in Vietnam.

Host and guest shared the view that in the time to come, the government, businesses, and investment funds of Norway should consider support to Vietnam, helping the country continue with its policy on investing in research and implementation of green energy projects such as those in offshore wind power and hydrogen production, thus facilitating cooperation between firms of Vietnam and Norway in the field.

Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Dang Hoang An. Photo: Industry and Trade Magazine

They also talked about the acceleration of the negotiation for a free trade agreement (FTA) between Vietnam and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) – grouping Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland.

Deputy Minister An lauded the sides’ negotiation teams for their efforts to narrow the gap in issues where differences of opinion exist.

Vietnam is willing to make necessary flexibilities, he said, adding that the EFTA side should also do similarly to reach a balanced agreement, bringing about harmonious benefits for those involved.

State Secretary of the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Erling Rimestad. Photo: Industry and Trade Magazine

Agreeing with An, Rimestad said Norway and other EFTA member states will work with Vietnam to narrow the gap in issues of differences toward concluding the negotiation as soon as possible.

He hoped that Vietnam and Norway will exchange more high-level visits and their collaboration in industry and trade will further develop in the coming time.

Ninth Vietnam-Norway political consultation

State Secretary of the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Erling Rimestad and Deputy Foreign Minister Le Thi Thu Hang. Photo: Government News

The same day, Rimestad and Deputy Foreign Minister Le Thi Thu Hang co-chaired the ninth political consultation between the two foreign ministries, focusing on discussing bilateral cooperation as well as regional and international issues of shared concern, according to Nhan dan (People) newspaper.

Hang highlighted achievements in bilateral relations and suggested that the two sides continue to maintain the exchange of delegations at all levels and between the two ministries to strengthen mutual understanding and deepen bilateral political and diplomatic partnership.

As the second largest trade partner of Norway in the region, Vietnam hopes to further bolster economic cooperation with Norway through encouraging and attracting Norwegian firms to invest in Vietnam in the fields of renewable energy, green transition, circular economy, maritime economy, shipbuilding, green sea transport, and logistics, she said.

Hang proposed that Norway and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) speed up the negotiations and signing of a free trade agreement with Vietnam on the basis of harmonised interests, thus creating breakthroughs in bilateral trade and investment collaboration.

She asked for Norway's assistance to Vietnamese sailors to work on Norwegian-flagged vessels and Vietnamese labourers to work seasonally in the country.

For his part, Rimestad affirmed that the Norwegian Government attaches great importance to cooperation with Vietnam, especially in trade, investment and energy transition.

He said he hopes for progress in the negotiations and signing of a free trade agreement between Vietnam and the EFTA.

At the ninth political consultation between the two foreign ministrie. Photo: Government News

Rimestad lauded Vietnam's strong commitments given at the 26th UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) as well as the bilateral cooperation potential within the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) to which Norway is a member. Norway is willing to provide Vietnam with experience, technical and financial support during the country’s transition to renewable energy, he affirmed.

At the event, Hang and Rimestad discussed measures to bolster cooperation between the two countries in agriculture, education-training, labour, science-technology and security-defence.

Both sides highly valued the potential of bilateral collaboration in maritime economy and green energy, contributing to creating new and practical momentum for the development of partnership in areas of Norway's strength and Vietnam's demand.

They also agreed to coordinate closely and support each other at UN agencies and organisations, while enhancing cooperation between ASEAN and Norway. They underlined the significance of ensuring maritime and aviation freedom as well as peace and security at sea, and respecting international law and the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea 1982.

The two sides also touched upon regional and international issues of shared concern./.

Ample Room for Growth in Vietnam-Norway Energy Cooperation Vietnam and Norway have many similarities such as geographical advantages in terms of long coastline, creating favorable conditions for the development of fisheries and energy.

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