President Truong Tan Sang hosted a reception in Hanoi on June 17 for outgoing Norwegian Ambassador Stale Risa.

The leader spoke highly of the diplomat’s contributions to consolidating and strengthening the two countries’ multi-faceted cooperation and acknowledged his role in encouraging Norwegian investors to do business in Vietnam.

He also thanked Ambassador Risa for raising his voice to make the Norwegian Government maintain its official development assistance (ODA) to Vietnam and recognise Vietnam as a market economy.

The two countries still hold potential opportunities to coordinate in renewable energy, electricity and telecommunication, Sang said, adding that Vietnam is willing to act as a bridge connecting Norway with other ASEAN member countries.

For his part, Risa said he believes that a free trade agreement between the two nations will soon be signed, opening up more cooperation chances for their businesses in the fields of ship building, navigation, aquatic product exploitation and telecoms.

He confirmed Norway’s willingness to provide technical assistance for projects in Vietnam.-VNA