(VOVworld) –President Truong Tan Sang and his entourage on Wednesday began a 3-day state visit to Denmark at the invitation of Queen Margrethe II. VOV reviews major milestones in bilateral ties and prospective cooperation after the visit.

Queen Margrethe II and Prince Henrik of Denmark receive Vietnamese reporters in Amalienborg Palace in Copenhagen on September 15

Denmark, a northern European country, was one of the first western countries to establish diplomatic relations with Vietnam on November 25, 1971. Denmark saw a massive people’s campaign to support the Vietnamese people’s resistance wars. Vietnam and Denmark have enjoyed good relation and cooperation since the establishment of diplomatic ties. During Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung’s visit to Denmark in September, 2009, the two countries have decided to raise their bilateral ties to “partners for development” based on equality, stability, and mutual benefit and to boost cooperation in economics, trade, investment, culture, education, science, and technology. Vietnam and Denmark signed a joint statement on establishing a “strategic partnership in climate change, energy, environment, and green growth” during Prince Frederick’s visit to Vietnam in November 2011.

As of the end of May, 2013, Denmark had 106 operational projects worth a total of 674 million USD, ranking 25^th among 100 countries and territories investing in Vietnam. Denmark is on the list of top ODA donors to Vietnam. Since 1971, Denmark has provided Vietnam nearly 1.2 billion USD for infrastructure construction, poverty reduction, sustainable development, administrative reform, and environmental protection projects. Denmark has given Vietnam 40 million USD for the program “Responding and minimizing the impacts of climate change”. Denmark has transferred technologies to Vietnam in water supply and irrigation and handling environmental pollution. Denmark’s financial and technical support is helping Vietnam overcome challenges on its development path. Danish Minister of Trade and Investment Pia Olsen Dyhr said during her recent trip to Vietnam: “The transfer of waste management technologies to Vietnam goes hand in hand with the Danish government’s strategy for Vietnam. I believe this development will not only help us tackle the waste issue in Vietnam but also assist us in tackling the future’s resources scarcity on our planet as a whole while contributing to sustainable growth in both countries.”

Danish Ambassador to Vietnam John Nielsen said the two countries and their businesses should better promote their potential to obtain the best results. “I think there are a lot of opportunities between Danish and Vietnamese companies. Vietnam is an attractive market because of the low cost here compared to other countries. Many of the Danish companies are able to bring in new technology and training skills. We believe there are a lot of cooperative opportunities in the future.”

Vietnam and Denmark have exerted enormous effort to enhance cooperation in education and training, tourism, and culture. Cultural exchanges have been held regularly to improve mutual understanding.

The traditional relationship between Vietnam and Denmark and President Truong Tan Sang’s visit to Denmark create favorable conditions for boosting relations to a new level. President Sang’s visit aims to consolidate the multi-faceted cooperation with Denmark, affirm Vietnam’s policies of independence, self-reliance, and multi-lateralization, and elevate Vietnam’s international status.