VietNamNet Bridge – The Foreign Ministry held a political consultation with its Norwegian counterpart in Hanoi on April 17 to boost relations between the two countries.

The event, co-chaired by Deputy Foreign Minister Dao Viet Trung and Foreign Ministry State Secretary Elisabeth Walaas of Norway, also discussed regional and international issues of mutual concerns.

Deputy Foreign Minister Trung told his guest of the national position on major international issues and Vietnam’s measures to implement national foreign policy towards diversification and multilateralisation.

He spoke about the nation’s priorities as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council during 2008-2009.

Norway counterparts praised Vietnam’s role and position in the regional arena and lauded the Southeast Asian country’s recent socio-economic achievements.

Walaas said Norway would work towards stronger ties with Vietnam in various fields, especially economics, trade, investment, science and technology, and environmental protection.

The consultation is the second of its kind so far between the two countries, and concluded with consensus to hold the next event in Norway’s capital Oslo in 2009.

(Source: VNA)