Norwegian Ambassador to ASEAN: A beginning of longer successful process
Norwegian Ambassador to ASEAN Kjell Tormod Pettersen said that Viet Nam is gradually developing its capacity to play a leading role in ASEAN as well as promoting ASEAN’s relations with partners.
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| Norwegian Ambassador to ASEAN Kjell Tormod Pettersen (left) said that Viet Nam is gradually developing its capacity to play a leading role in ASEAN. |
What are your comments when for the first time ASEAN has a channel 1.5 forum to discuss the future of ASEAN and for the benefit of the people of ASEAN?
AFF 2024 is a timely initiative to address the challenges we all are facing in present geopolitical environment, and particularly to discuss the role of ASEAN as an organization of growing importance globally.
I think we should be careful to have to high expectations to start with but look upon the Forum as a beginning of longer successful process in line with the purposes and principles of ASEAN.
As an ASEAN’s Sectoral Dialogue Partnership, what are your expectations about the development of ASEAN in the future as well as the central role of ASEAN? What are potentials of cooperations and upgrading relations between Norway and ASEAN in the coming times?
Our experience is that ASEAN is very adaptable in its own way with thorough internal discussions and quite aware of its central role in Southeast Asia and that new initiatives must be taken in that respect.
Given limited resources financially and in manpower we must be selective how we are managing our relations with ASEAN. For the moment we are exploring the potential for cooperation on Blue Economy.
In the current challenging international context, in your opinion, what are significances of ASEAN’s development model for promoting peace and stability in the region as well as the world?
In my opinion the ASEAN Charter’s 14 principles serve as good guidance to understand how ASEAN is contributing to peace and stability in Southeast Asia and in the Indo-Pacific region. Respecting the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity are fundamental for international cooperation and peaceful coexistence as well as upholding United Nations Charter and international law.
How do you evaluate Vietnam’s efforts in ASEAN and Vietnam’s role in promoting ASEAN’s relations with partners including ASEAN - Norway relation?
I have noticed that Vietnam is gradually developing its capacity to play a leading role in ASEAN, including strengthening the relations with ASEAN’s external partners. We are very thankful for Viet Nam’s support of Norway’s sectoral dialogue partnership.
