Senior Norwegian officials have made clear their intention to facilitate trade and investment between Vietnam and European nations, in addition to pursuing bilateral partnerships in line with environmental protection as part of their response to climate change.

This was expressed as Vice Chairman of the National Assembly (NA) Uong Chu Luu held talks with First Vice President of the Norwegian Parliament Marit Nabykk; Chief Justice of the Supreme Court Tore Schei; and top officials of the Norwegian Prosecution Authority; parliamentary committees on justice, scrutiny and constitutional affairs, external affairs, and defence during his visit to Norway from December 5-6.

Nabykk suggested both sides embrace new cooperative fields like climate change adaptation, forestation and negotiations on a free trade agreement between Vietnam and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA).

Both sides said they are satisfied with their recent bilateral ties, especially between the two legislatures, and vowed to carry economic and trade collaboration forward so as to match each country’s potential.

Luu informed the hosts that the Vietnamese NA will hold the 132nd Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union in March 2015 and extended NA Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung’s invitation for the president of the Norwegian Parliament to attend the event.

Luu’s visit was made in order to tighten affiliation between the two legislative bodies, including the sharing of experience in the State apparatus.

It was the first visit by a high-ranking Vietnamese parliamentary delegation since the two nations established their diplomatic ties in 1971.-VNA