Foreign ministry spokesperson Nguyen Phuong Nga was speaking in Hanoi on December 23 in response to a reporters’ query relating to the Swedish Government’s December 22 announcement on closure of embassies in several countries, including Vietnam.

“Vietnam regrets that the Swedish Government decided to shut down its embassy in Hanoi and in other nations due to budgetary difficulties,” Mrs. Nga said, noting “this is Sweden’s internal affairs”.

She asserted, “Vietnam always attaches importance to its traditional friendship and cooperation with Sweden which have been maintained and developed by generations of leaders and people during past years”.

“We wish that both sides will continue to boost bilateral cooperation in the future through appropriate measures and forms to meet the two countries’ aspirations and benefits,” the spokeswoman said.

“Vietnam is willing to provide favourable conditions for Sweden to soon re-open its embassy in Vietnam when it finds it favourable,” she said.