Viet Nam and Norway have similar positions on a number of international issues, including peace and security maintenance, respect for law, and sustainable development. 

Deputy Prime Minister, Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh and Norwegian Foreign Minister Ire Eriksen Soreide shared the point during their phone talks on Tuesday.

Minh welcomed Norway’s initiative to rally the United Nations’ coordination to support developing countries to overcome the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic and develop vaccines for the disease. Meanwhile, the Norwegian congratulated Viet Nam on successful containment of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The sides agreed to foster cooperation between Norway and ASEAN as Viet Nam is the bloc chair and strengthen coordiation at the United Nations as Viet Nam is the UNSC non-permanent member for the 2020-2021 tenure.

They expressed their satisfaction with the sound advancement of the bilateral ties, especially the implementation of the agreements reached during the Norway visit by Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc in May last year.

The two officials pledged to push for early signing of a trade deal between Viet Nam and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) in a bid to back economic recovery in the post-COVID-19 pandemic.

Both sides agreed to work together to organize activities marking the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations in 2021./.