Norway has pledged to continue to provide Vietnam with official development assistance, especially in the fields of climate change response, forest protection, natural disaster prevention and education-training.

Norwegian State Secretary Morten Hoglund assured Deputy Foreign Minister Ho Xuan Son of this on the occasion of their seventh annual political consultation in Oslo, Norway, during Son’s official visit from September 15-16.

Both sides agreed to facilitate visits at all levels and jointly prepare for the upcoming visit of the Norwegian Foreign Minister.

Furthermore, the two countries will accelerate the negotiation of a free trade agreement between Vietnam and the European Free Trade Association, of which Norway is a member.

Vietnam, in the meantime, will provide support for Norwegian firms, especially those in navigation, shipbuilding, hydropower, oil and gas, fisheries and communications.

They vowed to work closely together at multilateral forums, especially the United Nations, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and the Asia–Europe Meeting.

On the occasion, the representative of Vietnam congratulated Norway on becoming an official partner of ASEAN and expressed his support for the Joint Statement on the ASEAN-Norway Partnership signed on August 8.

Norway reiterated its support for Vietnam ’s efforts to maintain an environment of peace, stability, security and maritime safety when settling disputes in the East Sea via peaceful means and in line with international law, particularly the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

Issues of mutual concern were discussed, including Asian-Pacific security, the post-2015 millennium development agenda and peace-keeping missions.

The next political consultation will take place in Vietnam next year.-VNA