Vietnam and Denmark have agreed to boost economic and trade cooperation to raise two-way trade to 1 billion USD in the near future.

The agreement was reached during talks between Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung and his Danish counterpart, Helle Thorning Schmidt, in Hanoi on November 8.

The two sides agreed to prioritise strengthening their relationship and focus their strategic partnership on fields such as climate change, the environment, energy and green growth.

Dung thanked the Danish Government and people for the valuable support, both materially and spiritually, that they have given to Vietnam during the country’s struggles for national reunification in the past and the current construction and renewal process.

He praised development projects funded by Denmark in Vietnam ’s priority areas such as clean water supplies, drainage systems, sewerage treatment plants, environmental pollution and vocational training, which have helped the country reduce poverty and fulfill many of its UN development goals ahead of schedule.

The Danish PM praised the major achievements the Vietnamese people have made during the renewal process as well as Vietnam ’s rising role in the region and the world.

She stated that Denmark wants to strengthen its comprehensive ties with Vietnam, especially in developing a green economy, renewable energies, maritime transport, the oil and gas industry and adapting to climate change.

She said she hoped that both countries will step up cooperation and mutual support at international and regional forums. The two PMs then exchanged their views on regional and international issues of common concern.

Dung also suggested that Denmark continue to help Vietnam strengthen its relations with the European Union (EU). As the coordinator for ASEAN-EU ties, Vietnam will strive to foster relations between ASEAN and the EU in general and between ASEAN and Denmark in particular, he stressed.

Helle stated that Denmark strongly supports the settlement of the East Sea issues by peaceful means and in accordance with international law. The Scandinavian country will also foster the Vietnam-EU relationship, now that the bloc and Vietnam have signed the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA) and started to negotiate a Free Trade Area (FTA).

Following their talks, both PMs witnessed the signing of several cooperation agreements concerning corporate reform, energy and the oil and gas industry.-VNA