Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh held separate meetings with his Philippine and Norwegian counterparts on the fringes of the 10 th Asia-Europe Meeting in Milan, Italy on October 16.

The Vietnamese FM and his Philippine counterpart Albert F. Del Rosario shared their delight at closer wide-ranging cooperation and increasing mutual trust between the two countries.

They agreed that greater efforts are needed to elevate bilateral relations to a new height, advancing towards the strategic partnership level.

Regarding regional and global issues of mutual concern, they reached a consensus on stepping up connection for the successful formation of an ASEAN community by 2015, promoting the bloc’s central role, unity as well as its common voice to issues pertaining to regional peace and security, including the East Sea issue.

FM Minh and his Norwegian counterpart, Børge Brende, were unanimous that Norwegian investors should be given favourable conditions to involve in shipbuilding, energy, aquaculture, communications and human resource training in Vietnam.

Meanwhile, the two countries need to work to speed up the completion of a Free Trade Agreement between Vietnam and the European Free Trade Association that is composed of Norway, Switzerland, Iceland and Liechtenstein.

The Norwegian FM spoke highly of Vietnam’s active participation in and taking up of important positions in international organisation, affirming that Norway has paid regard to bolstering cooperation with Vietnam at the United Nations, ASEAN and ASEM.

Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh also works as Deputy Prime Minister.

VNA/VNN