Vietnam gives importance to relationship with Denmark: President

Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnam attaches importance to developing the fruitful traditional relationship with Denmark – Vietnam’s important partner in Northern Europe, President Tran Dai Quang affirmed.

At a reception for newly-accredited Danish Ambassador Charlotte Laursen in Hanoi on July 20, the President thanked Denmark for its official development assistance (ODA) to Vietnam over the past years.

Such ODA loans have been used effectively in Vietnam’s priority areas, including poverty reduction, public administration, administrative reform, climate change response and environmental protection, he said.

The host noted his joy at the active developments of bilateral ties over the recent past, especially after the two countries established a strategic partnership in climate change, energy, environment and green growth in November 2011 and a comprehensive partnership in September 2013.

Welcoming the Danish Government’s selection of Vietnam as one of the ten countries to realise its Growth Strategy, President Tran Dai Quang reassured that Vietnam has implemented a host of policies to encourage and create optimal conditions for foreign firms, including those from Denmark, to run long-term business in the country.

The head of State expressed his belief that the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement, to be officially reached, will open up new cooperation opportunities for the two sides, as well as for Vietnamese and Danish businesses.

He called on Ambassador Charlotte Laursen to closely coordinate with Vietnamese ministries and agencies to carry out measures to deepen the bilateral relations.

For her part, the ambassador stressed that Danish investors are interested in the Vietnamese market, adding that many Danish firms specliasing in food, agriculture, environment and fisheries are operating successfully in the Southeast Asian nation.

Vietnam and Denmark still hold substantial potential to deepen their relationship in the coming time.

Regarding the celebration of the 45 th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties, the diplomat informed her host that Denmark has prepared multiple pragmatic activities in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City for the event.-VNA