DPM Pham Binh Minh meets with Cambodia, Norway FMs

Deputy PM and FM Pham Binh Minh and Cambodian Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Prak Sokhonn

Meeting with Cambodian Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Prak Sokhonn, Deputy PM Minh congratulated Cambodia on the successful organization of the election of the sixth parliament, saying that the good initial results reflected voters’ trust in the leadership of the Cambodian People’s Party.

He said he believes that the sound neighbourliness, traditional friendship and comprehensive cooperation between Viet Nam and Cambodia will develop more strongly in the coming time.

The two officials agreed to work together to prepare for high-ranking visits and bilateral cooperation mechanisms later this year, including a meeting on border provinces’ cooperation and a political consultation between the two foreign ministries.

Both sides also affirmed the determination to implement cooperation projects effectively and on schedule, and speed up land border demarcation and marker planting so as to build border areas of peace, stability, cooperation and development.

Minister Prak Sokhonn stated that the Cambodian Government places high priority on swiftly finalizing the granting of legal papers for Cambodians of Vietnamese origin.

Regarding the East Sea issue, both sides agreed on the need to accelerate negotiations to soon reach a substantive and effective Code of Conduct in the East Sea, thereby contributing to peace, stability and development in the region and the world.

Deputy PM and FM Pham Binh Minh meets Norwegian Foreign Minister Eriksen Søreide

At his meeting with Norwegian Foreign Minister Eriksen Søreide, the Vietnamese Deputy PM called on the two countries to increase delegation exchanges at all levels. He affirmed that Viet Nam encourages Norwegian companies to invest in marine economic sectors, shipbuilding, oil and gas, aquaculture and renewable energy in Viet Nam.

Norway was also asked to go ahead with the talks on a free trade agreement between Viet Nam and the European Free Trade Association.

Valuing the European country’s role as a sectoral dialogue partner of ASEAN, he hoped that Norway will continue backing the regional bloc’s central role and further help development in the CLMV nations (Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam).

Viet Nam is an important partner in ASEAN of her country and more and more Norwegian businesses are expressing their growing interest in the region, including Viet Nam, Eriksen Søreide said, saying her nation will step up bilateral and multilateral cooperation with Viet Nam at regional and international forums.

By Vien Nhu