NA Chairwoman hosts Crown Princess of Sweden

Meeting with the Crown Princess in Hanoi on May 6, the top Vietnamese legislator said Vietnam and Sweden have enjoyed the time-honoured friendship and all-around cooperation, founded by then President Ho Chi Minh and Prime Minister Olof Palme and nurtured by the two peoples over the last five decades.

Sweden was the first western country to establish diplomatic relations with Vietnam, Ngan emphasized, adding that Vietnam has not forgotten the image of thousands of Swedish people streaming down streets to protest against the war in Vietnam.

Ngan thanked the Royal Family, government, and people of Sweden for giving valuable support to Vietnam, especially in non-refundable aid totaling more than US$3 billion. She expressed her appreciation for the European nation’s assistance to Vietnam in strengthening ties with international financial and monetary organizations in the past towards deeper international integration at present.

Crown Princess Victoria for her part showed her elation at the sound development of bilateral ties between the two nations. The delegation of 50 Swedish businesses desire to discuss business partnerships as well as sustainable development – an issue of shared concern, she noted.

Chairwoman Ngan highlighted that Sweden is an important and trustworthy partner of Vietnam in the European Union. The Nordic nation now has 67 investment projects worth US$364 million in Vietnam.

These figures remain modest and is still far from matching the full potential for broader cooperation, she said while hoping that the businesses accompanying the Princess during this visit will have plenty of opportunities to learn about the local investment-business climate.

Ngan said she believes once the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) is signed and ratified, bilateral trade will increase higher.

The NA leader also affirmed that Vietnam is reforming its legal and administrative systems to create a solid legal framework and fair environment for foreign businesses, including those from Sweden.

At the meeting, the Swedish delegation noted more than 50,000 tourists from their country came to Vietnam last year, and Swedish companies have generated more than 120,000 jobs here. They also said Sweden greatly values its cooperation with Vietnam – a country with important standing in ASEAN.

Vietnam is ready to serve as a bridge between Sweden and ASEAN, Ngan assured and asked Sweden, with its experience, to help her country cope with rising sea levels and other environmental protection issues.