Norwegian Ambassador to Vietnam Grete Lochen said Norway has always seen Vietnam as an active and responsible member of ASEAN. Photo: Norwegian Embassy in Vietnam

Norwegian Ambassador to Vietnam Grete Lochen has a deep respect for Vietnam's contributions to ending the pandemic. She recently shared her thought about Vietnam:

In the context of the pandemic, we have heard a lot of touching stories about humanity, about sharing despite differences in nationality and language.

I was really moved when I read the news about the medical staff and frontline staff in the fight against the pandemic in Vietnam, who are fighting day and night, ready to go to hot spots to give their best support.

These stories speak volumes about the strength of the Vietnamese people.

No one can forget the story of Vietnamese doctors who spent 100 days trying to save the life of a British pilot infected with Covid-19 last March. This patient number 91 has been the focus of both national and international media.

The latest story happened in June of this year. At the request of the United Nations (UN), for the first time, Vietnam received and treated a Covid-19 patient who is a UN official, under the MEDEVAC program. This story not only marks the good relationship between Vietnam and the UN but also touches the hearts of UN staff in the region, both foreigners and diplomats in Vietnam like me. It is a symbol of Vietnam's goodwill and international solidarity, which is of immense significance in these harsh times.

In the challenging context caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, we are impressed by what Vietnam has shown. Vietnam is committed to maintaining ASEAN's coherence in dealing with Covid-19, promoting economic recovery, and at the same time making ASEAN's voice clearer in global forums.

In addition, the Vietnamese Government has always been consistent in multilateral forums, such as the United Nations, calling for international solidarity and cooperation to jointly respond to the pandemic. At times like these, every act of sharing is needed and appreciated.

Covid-19 spreads across borders. This pandemic belongs to no one. International solidarity is an important strength to respond to the pandemic.

Covid-19 has become the biggest security disruptor of the century in a non-traditional way. In these times, it is important that we reaffirm our shared commitment to maintaining international peace and security: upholding multilateralism and the UN-centered international system.

We must protect and strengthen the international order that has served us so well, a predictable, rules-based international order that makes the world safer and more stable.

We need a world order where nations can work together to find common solutions, where great powers cannot act unilaterally, where “the truth will triumph over power.” That's what's best for us. In fact, multilateralism is a commitment that goes beyond self-interest.

Vietnam should feel proud in the final months of its tenure as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council

I follow Vietnam's activities at the Security Council and appreciate Vietnam's sense of responsibility and proactive role. Vietnam has coordinated with the members of the Security Council to find balanced and constructive solutions, demonstrating the practicality to reach a common consensus on the solutions and statements of the Security Council.

Vietnam should feel proud when in the final months of its tenure as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council. Like Norway, Vietnam strongly supports an effective multilateral system with the UN at its core. An international order based on rules and respecting international law is the best defense for small and medium-sized countries like Norway and Vietnam.

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