Vice Minister Niu Dun Meets with a Delegation from the Norwegian Parliament

Source: MOA Department of International Cooperation

On 7 Sept., Niu Dun, Vice Minister of Agriculture, met withTerje Aasland, Chair of the Standing Committee on Business and Industry of the Parliament of the Kingdom of Norway. The two sides exchanged views on a series of issues, including further fishery cooperation between China and Norway.

China and Norway had friendly ties. In recent years, the high-level officials of the two countries had visited each other frequently and had conducted good talks and consultation. In particular, the implementation of China-Norway Bei Dou fishery project since 1984 had made great contribution to the improvement of fishery research and management, and the training of fishery technical and managerial personnel in China. The Ministry of Agriculture of China attached importance to the development of the bilateral fishery cooperation and was willing to work together with the Norwegian side for further progress in this regard.

Niu Dun put forward two recommendations on the bilateral fishery cooperation. First, strengthen the development of cooperation mechanisms on the existing cooperation basis and regularly convene joint committee meetings to discuss major issues; establish a fishery information exchange system and communicate agricultural policies and experience through official websites and other channels; increase personnel exchange and mutual visits, especially high-level mutual visits. Second, enhance the bilateral cooperation on fishery science and technology and projects; carry out technical exchange and cooperation on aquaculture, prevention and control of aquatic animal diseases and R & D and application of vaccines.

Terje Aasland fully agreed with Niu Dun on his recommendations. He considered that the fishery cooperation between the two countries had huge potential and the fisheries of the two countries were highly complementary to each other; and hoped that the two sides could intensify the exchange and cooperation in the field of fisheries, and jointly facilitate development of the bilateral agricultural trade.

Niu Dun also introduced China s food security status and principles on illegal fishing activities at the request of the guest.

Officials from the Department of International Cooperation and the Bureau of Fisheries also attended the meeting.

(Date: 15:08 07 Sept. 2010)