Norwegian Ambassador to Vietnam Siren Gjerme Eriksen
(CPV) – Norwegian Ambassador to Vietnam Siren Gjerme Eriksen affirmed this statement during an interview with the Communist Party of Vietnam Online Newspaper. She stressed that significant results over the past few years have laid the firm foundation for the further expansion of the bilateral relationships. Reporter: Vietnam has gradually been confirmed as one of the Asian countries looking forward to sustainable development. Could you please share your assessment on the building and development of Vietnam in recent years, especially in 2014?Ambassador, Siren Gjerme Eriksen: Vietnam has transformed from one of the poorest to one of the fastest growing economies in Southeast Asia, with lower middle-income status attained in 2010. It is one of few countries to receive appreciation from the United Nations for its effort towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), especially MDG 1 on poverty reduction.
2014 has seen positive results regarding economic growth. Vietnam has also been applauded for taking steps towards creating a more equitable and inclusive society.
At the same time, challenges remain on issues such as climate change adaptation and it’s mitigation, environmental degradation and depletion of natural resources, transparency, civil society participation and human rights.
Further structural reforms, enhanced macroeconomic stability, social equity and environmental sustainability would allow Vietnam to lay the foundations for a modern, industrialised society by 2020 as envisaged by the Socio-Economic Development Strategy 2011-2020.
Reporter: As the newly appointed Ambassador to Vietnam, what are your first impressions of the country and people? You might have heard about our traditional TET and we wonder which of the traditional customs of TET impresses you most.Ambassador Siren Gjerme Eriksen: I have had several opportunities to travel around Vietnam and those trips have given me valuable experiences. Some examples: During my recent visit to Ho Chi Minh city for the semi-annual Norwegian Business Forum in Vietnam, I witnessed the commitment and joint efforts made by many companies and organisations to contribute to a dynamic and mutually beneficial relationship between Norway and Vietnam. I also joined the Norwegian Non-Governmental Organization NCA Vietnam in Hue, and its local partners, in their celebration of 20 years of activity in Vietnam and better understood just how much work is done with local partners in gender equality, health, justice and environment, as well as the improvement of livelihoods of the poor, especially women and children. I can see that this country has such a rich and diverse culture, hardworking and friendly people, and beautiful nature.
I have learned that the traditional TET is the most important Vietnamese holiday. It is the time for family reunions, exchanging gifts and best wishes and the beginning of a new year. In the flow of seasons it is a pause during which the country and the people enjoy some rest after twelve months of labor. In this period of time for renewal, people feel refreshed and optimistic, and that explains many fine customs: in the New Year, all action should be pure and beautiful for it may be an omen foretelling events in the twelve months that follow. All members of the extended family try to spend the holiday together under the same roof; friends and relatives go to visit each other. Joss sticks are lit on the family altar and offerings of food, fresh water, flowers and betel are made. It is a real connection within the family and the community, and between the present and the past. I am very much looking forward to experiencing my first TET in Vietnam.
Reporter: Could you please provide some outlines of the programmes that Norway are implementing in Vietnam in 2015 to maintain and strengthen our bilateral relations?Ambassador Siren Gjerme Eriksen: 2014 saw several high level visits between Norway and Vietnam that laid the foundation for a further expansion of our good relations and has already led to a number of positive outcomes in many areas. Their Royal Highnesses Crown Prince, Haakon and Crown Princess, Mette-Marit made a successful visit to Vietnam in March, accompanied by the Norwegian Minister of Trade and Industry, Ms Monica Mæland, and a large business delegation. In August, HE Mr. Vu Van Tam, Vice Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development of Vietnam visited Norway.
Several Norwegian companies are already doing business in Viet Nam and contributing to local employment opportunities and value creation. We see an increasing interest among Norwegian companies for engagement in Vietnam in many areas such as the maritime sector, the petroleum sector and fisheries sector. Also within ICT and environmental technology is there is an increasing interest in Vietnam from Norwegian companies. The trend has been positive over the last few years and I expect this to continue.
The EFTA countries – Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Switzerland – and Vietnam are currently negotiating a free trade agreement. The early conclusion of a comprehensive and modern free trade agreement will be an important tool in realizing the significant potential for further trade and investment.
Norway is a strong supporter of the United Nations and will continue to support One UN in Vietnam. By enhancing coherence, coordination and programmatic synergies we believe the UN will better assist Vietnam in important development and reform issues.
Norway and Vietnam share a strong commitment to the climate change agenda, and I look forward to further co-operation between our two countries in this area.
Norway will continue to work with Vietnam on climate change and on human rights, which have made a significant impact on the lives of the people here. On-going projects with local counterparts such as research institutes, universities and non-governmental organizations have brought some positive results and we look forward to further success in these important areas.
In the area of cultural cooperation, 2015 will see the completion of the well-known music cooperation programme ‘Transposition’. Since 2007, the programme has contributed towards strengthened quality and professionalism of the institutions and artists involved, as well as enhanced musical, technical and administrative competence, and increased access to quality music for the public. Norway is proud to make this contribution to the development of classical music in Vietnam.
Reporter: What would be your assessment of the potential and prospects for our bilateral relations?Ambassador Siren Gjerme Eriksen: 44 years of diplomatic relations have witnessed good cooperation between Norway and Vietnam on a broad range of issues. Our two countries hold bilateral consultations at the political level on a regular basis. I see many opportunities to boost trade and investment between the two countries and further strengthen our bilateral cooperation. Vietnam is also an important member of ASEAN and is taking on an increasing role in the global arena which opens up new areas of possible cooperation.
With regard to trade and investment: Norway has one of the most well-developed maritime clusters in the world, and Norwegian ship-owners, ship-yards and ship equipment producers have been focusing on Vietnam. Likewise Norway have one of the most developed aquaculture industries in the world, and many companies have established their businesses with Vietnamese companies and cooperate to assist in developing the Vietnamese aquaculture sector into being more sustainable and producing higher-quality seafood for the world market. We also have a very strong oil and gas cluster in Norway with services and products available for the Vietnamese oil and gas industry, not at least related to sub-sea development, enhanced oil recovery technologies and advanced production methods. Our telecom industry is among the most advanced in the world and with a significant footprint in Asia. Norway emphasizes an approach based on sustainable development, including environmental protection and implementation of Corporate Social Responsibility into our businesses and our society. We believe our experience within these fields could be of significant value for the sustainable development of the Vietnamese industry.
Last but not least, Norway will continue to work with the UN and other development partners to assist Vietnam in achieving further success in the fields of climate change, transparency, civil society participation and human rights.
Reporter: What would your wishes be to the Vietnamese people and the Vietnam – Norway relationship on the occasion of the New Year 2015?Ambassador Siren Gjerme Eriksen: 2015 is important to Vietnam as the preparation year for the 12th CPV Congress and the next five-year socio-economic development plan 2016-2020. Congratulations to Vietnam on having made great strides in reducing poverty and enhancing the welfare of the people. Vietnam has so many qualities going for it, among them a central position in Asia, a hardworking people and a young population. In partnership with other countries like Norway it can take further positive strides towards becoming a modern and industrialised society based on equality and inclusiveness.
On the occasion of the New Year 2015, I would like to take this opportunity to wish Vietnamese people welfare, happiness and prosperity. I am confident that 2015 will see the further strengthening of the friendship and cooperation between Norway and Vietnam./.
Thank you so much!