(VNF) - The Vietnamese and Norwegian Prime Ministers discussed the two country’s future cooperation and international efforts to achieve the United Nation’s Millennium Development Goals in their meeting on April 17th, in Hanoi.

The two prime ministers commented on the importance of continued cooperation within business, trade and investment, and both reaffirmed their commitment to an early conclusion of a comprehensive free trade agreement between Vietnam and Norway, through EFTA.

In recent years, Norway and Vietnam have both benefitted from growing economic ties between the two countries. Many Norwegian-Vietnamese partnerships have been established in Vietnam, and, in the coming years, business, investment and trade will become key areas of cooperation for Vietnam and Norway.

The European Free Trade Association (EFTA), with Norway as one of its four members, is nearing the final phase of negotiations of a free trade agreement with Vietnam.

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung affirmed Norway is an important partner of Vietnam in Northern Europe. The result of the meeting will make the bilateral ties develop well and effectively, benefiting the business communities and people of the two countries.

Prime Minister Solberg congratulated Prime Minister Dung on Vietnam’s impressive poverty reduction results and progress on the Millennium Development Goals.

The two prime ministers agreed to accelerate efforts to reach the remaining goals, as well as to strengthen cooperation on the new Sustainable Development Goals, which will replace the Millennium Development Goals after 2015.

They agreed on the importance of attaining an ambitious climate agreement in Paris later this year, and committed to continued cooperation on sustainable forest management and reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation (REDD+).

The prime ministers also discussed human rights, regional matters and the increased integration between the ASEAN countries, including discussions on how Norway’s cooperation with ASEAN can be enhanced.

Prime Minister Solberg’s official visit to Vietnam lasts from April 16th-18th. In addition to bilateral meetings, her three-day visit will include business events, a seminar focusing on Millennium Development Goals and the new Post-2015 Sustainable Development Goals, as well as a field trip to see Millennium Development Goal progress in Lao Cai province./.

Hoang Nguyen