(VOVworld) – Vice Chairman of the Vietnam National Assembly Phung Quoc Hien held talks with Vice President of the Norwegian Parliament Svien Roald Hansen in Norway on Thursday to deepen relations between the two countries and legislative bodies.

Vice Chairman of Vietnam National Assembly Phung Quoc Hien (4th, R), Vice President of the Norwegian Parliament Svien Roald Hansen (5th R) and other officials (Source: VNA)

Hien said Vietnam is willing to serve as a bridge between Norway and ASEAN, calling for Norway’s support for Vietnam’s bid for a seat in the UN Security Council for 2020-2021. He said Vietnam hopes Norway will maintain its official development assistance for Vietnam and replicate its projects in aquaculture and rural economic development in disadvantaged areas.

While in Norway, NA Vice Chairman Hien met with Finance Minister Siv Jensen. The two agreed to encourage Norwegian firms to operate in Vietnam. Mrs. Jensen said many Norwegian firms are interested in the Vietnamese market and plan to invest in navigation and fisheries. Mr. Hien said Vietnam hopes to share its experience with Norway in international economic integration and public debt management.