Denmark, Vietnam aim for sustainable partnership
(VOV) - Both countries are advancing to a comprehensive partnership by maintaining political dialogues and promoting trade ties.
On the occasion of Denmark Constitution Day (June 5), Radio the Voice of Vietnam (VOV) introduces excerpts from Danish ambassador to Vietnam John Nielsen’s speech about the time-honoured relationship with Vietnam which has continued to grow and flourish since the 40th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties in 2011.
In 1971, Denmark was one of the first western nations recognizing Northern Vietnam’s independence. Over the past four decades, the close-knit relationship has developed fruitfully, not only between the two governments but also between businesses, artists and athletes.
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| Danish ambassador to Vietnam John Nielsen |
In 1994, Denmark chose Vietnam as its partner for development cooperation and since then, it has provided US$1.3 billion in official development assistance (ODA) for Vietnam’s poverty reduction and economic development.
This year, Denmark plans to disburse approximately US$50 million in ODA to help Vietnam ensure clean water supply, green growth and development of private economic sectors and push through administrative reform.
Among the EU nations, Denmark is one of the biggest ODA providers for Vietnam.
Since Vietnam became a middle income country in 2011, Denmark has decided to stop providing ODA for the country by 2015. In this context, the two nations have agreed to build a more sustainable partnership in the fields of green growth, clean technology, culture and civil society.
The two countries have held cultural exchanges including art performances.
Last year, Vietnam welcomed 27,000 Danish visitors and the figure is expected to post a year-on-year increase of 10-15 percent.
Bilateral relations have grown considerably with more than 140 Danish companies operating in Vietnam by far.
Despite huge challenges for its macroeconomy, Vietnam is still regarded as a potential and attractive market for Danish companies involved in green growth and clean energy industry which are their strength.
In addition, interior designing, manufacturing and electronics industries are also potential areas for future bilateral cooperation.
The World Bank (WB) has recently listed Denmark as one of the countries which are most flexible in Europe and the world as far as the business environment concerned.
In November 2012, the Danish government launched a market development campaign with the aim of doubling Denmark’s export earnings from Vietnam in the next five years.
The campaign advocated by Denmark’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister during their visit to Vietnam in March 2013, will pave the way for Vietnamese officials to visit Denmark later this year.
Located in Northern Europe, Denmark is the southernmost of the Nordic countries and bordered by Germany. It comprises of two constituent countries —the Faroe Island in the North Atlantic and Greenland in North America, both of which enjoy home rule. With Copenhagen as its capital city, Denmark has a population of 5. 6 million, mostly Protestants (90 percent) and its first language is Danish.