Gov’t chief receives Swedish Foreign Minister
VGP – PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc affirmed that Viet Nam always attaches importance to cementing and developing the traditional ties and multifaceted relations with Sweden.
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PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc (R) and Swedish Minister of Foreign Affairs Margot Wallstrom, Ha Noi, November 22, 2017 – Photo: VGP/Quang Hieu |
The Vietnamese Government chief made the point on November 22 in Ha Noi while receiving Swedish Minister of Foreign Affairs Margot Wallstrom.
PM Phuc proposed the two countries work together to build plans to host the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties in 2019.
The host leader expressed the pleasure to witness the high two-way trade turnover (touching US$ 1.2 billion in 2016 and over US$ 1 billion by late October 2017). He said that he expected for a much higher figure in the coming time as there are abundant opportunities for further development.
The host leader was glad that a leading Swedish business delegation would arrive in Viet Nam for business opportunities, especially in fields of electronics, automobile spare parts, food processing, and beverage. PM Phuc took the occasion to welcome Swedish businesses to boost their presence in Viet Nam.
The PM suggested Sweden promote the signing of the Viet Nam-EU FTA, facilitating respective businesses. In the context that the two countries shifted from development cooperation to partnership for win-win benefits; the host leader recommended the two sides broaden cooperation in education-training, science-technology, green technology, building of smart urban areas, and auxiliary industries.
In return, Minister Margot Wallstrom informed the host leader that she had a conversation with Vietnamese youth who were extremely dynamic, believing in the Government and the bright future.
According to the guest, with a population scale which is a tenth of Viet Nam's and an export-oriented economy, Sweden strongly advocates free trade and spares no effort to push the EU to early sign and ratify the EVFTA. She also approved of the host leader’s business suggestions.
The Minister took the occasion to show her sympathy over the losses of Vietnamese people in recent tropical storms and expressed a desire to cooperate with Viet Nam in climate change adaptation./.
By Khanh Phuong
