Trade and investment play important role in VN-Sweden ties

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc (L) and Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Löfven in Stockholm, Sweden on May 27, 2019. Photo: VGP

Phuc stressed Viet Nam always attaches importance to the traditional friendship with Sweden and expects to further enhance the multi-faceted cooperation with the European country.

He took the occasion to extend sincere thanks to Sweden for its valuable support and assistance for Viet Nam’s struggle for national liberation in the past and the current cause of national development and international integration.

Meanwhile, Loefven highly valued Phuc’s ongoing visit to Sweden on the occasion of the 50^th founding anniversary of diplomatic relationship, which will help foster the bilateral cooperation.

Loefven also said people of Sweden admire the bravery and steadfast will of the Vietnamese people, adding the Government of Sweden regards Viet Nam as one of its key partners in the region.

The two PMs agreed to step up cooperation in such fields like innovation, smart urban development, environment, artificial intelligence, internet of things, information and communications, healthcare among others.

They welcomed the organization of the Viet Nam-Sweden Business Forum in Stockholm on the occasion of the visit and underlined the significance of continued facilitation of partnership between businesses of the two countries.

PM Phuc suggested the Swedish side advocate Viet Nam to develop comprehensive cooperation with the European Union.

The pair agreed to strengthen coordination in beefing up official signing of the free trade agreement and the investment protection agreement between Viet Nam and the EU in the coming weeks so that the deal would soon bring benefits to both sides.

Both sides also agreed to enhance coordination at regional and international fora like the UN, ASEM, ASEAN-EU and join efforts in dealing with global issues and climate change for sustainable development.

The two sides agreed on the importance of ensuring freedom of aviation and navigation in accordance with international law and the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.

PM Phuc invited the Swedish PM to visit Viet Nam and the latter gladly accepted the invitation./.

By Kim Anh