Vietnam and Sweden agree to tap into strengths for more fruitful cooperation

The agreement was reached during a meeting between Andreas Norlen, speaker of the Riksdag (parliament), and visiting Vietnamese Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan in Stockholm on November 12.

The two leaders emphasized the importance of cooperation between the two parliaments as part of the bilateral relationship and agreed to enhance exchanges between parliamentary leaders and specialized committees.

Norlen commended the National Assembly of Vietnam for establishing the Vietnam-Sweden Parliamentary Friendship Group and expressed his support for enhancing activities to share experiences in legislation and oversight between the two legislative bodies.

Xuan for her part expressed her gratitude for the valuable support that the Swedish Royal Family, government, parliament, and people have given to Vietnam over the past five decades. She affirmed that Vietnam highly values the development of multi-faceted relations with Sweden, aligned with the potential, strengths, and needs of both countries.

Xuan briefed her host on Vietnam’s recent socio-economic development, international integration, as well as achievements in ensuring and implementing human rights, emphasizing that people are at the center and motivation of the development process.

The Vice President suggested that both sides review and renew their bilateral cooperation agreements in line with the new context. She also requested Sweden’s support in urging the remaining EU member states to ratify the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) and called on the EU to lift the “yellow card” on Vietnam’s seafood exports regarding the illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing (IUU).

She also proposed facilitating visa issuance for Vietnamese tourists to Sweden, given that Vietnam has unilaterally exempted visas for Swedish citizens. Furthermore, she encouraged the Swedish parliament to motivate Swedish companies to invest in Vietnam in areas aligned with Vietnam’s development goals, such as innovation, green transformation, digital transformation, and climate change response.

Discussing regional and international issues of mutual concern, both sides agreed to strengthen cooperation and support each other at multilateral forums to promote the peaceful resolution of conflicts and disputes, based on respect for the United Nations Charter and international law. They also pledged to promote free trade, sustainable development, and global prosperity.

On this occasion, Xuan conveyed an invitation from National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man for Speaker Norlen to pay an official visit to Vietnam. Norlen said he would consider arranging the visit.