The annual Human Rights Dialogue between Vietnam and Norway took place in Hanoi on 23 November 2010. Freedom of expression, human rights defenders, gender equality, religious freedom and capital punishment were among the topics that were raised from the Norwegian side. The dialogue was conducted in an open, frank and constructive atmosphere.
The Norwegian delegation to the official Human Rights Dialogue was led by State Secretary Erik Lahnstein, and the Vietnamese delegation by Director General Le Hoai Trung from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam. The dialogue on human rights contributes to strengthening relations between the two countries.
State Secretary Lahnstein in dialogue with Vietnam Vice Prime Minister Hoang Trung Hai. Photo: Zenia ChrysostomidisA Seminar for Technical Working Groups was organized on the occasion of the official Human Rights Dialogue, with participating experts from both countries.The working groups discussed issues related to gender equality, legal research and criminology, and access to information. These topics are also reflected in ongoing project cooperation between Norway and Vietnam.
The 4th political consultation at deputy ministerial level between Vietnam and Norway was held on 24 November, led on the Vietnamese side by Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Thanh Son, where issues such as economic development and business cooperation, human rights concerns and multilateral cooperation were discussed. The two sides also discussed ways of celebrating in 2011 the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Norway (1971-2011), in order to contribute to increasing friendship and mutual understanding.
A meeting with representatives from the One UN-team in Vietnam was held during State Secretary Lahnstein’s visit to Vietnam. In addition to field visits to Vietnam National University and the Temple of Literature – Vietnam’s first university and shrine for information and knowledge, the Norwegian delegation visited Ha Noi Moi newspaper.
State Secretary Lahnstein also paid a visit to Vice Prime Minister Hoang Trung Hai during his stay in Hanoi. The Vice Minister visited Norway earlier this year (in June 2010).
The whole delegation outside Ha Noi Moi Newspaper. Photo: Nguyen Linh Tam