Stockholm marks Vietnam-Sweden diplomatic ties

In his statement, Vietnamese ambassador Tran Van Hinh thanked Sweden for its great support and assistance given to Vietnam over the four decades, noting that regular exchange visits and meetings by high-ranking leaders, especially the Vietnam visit by King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia in February 2004, have created a firm foundation for strengthening bilateral relations.

All-round cooperation between the two nations has grown steadily with two-way trade enjoying an average annual increase of 28 percent in the last three years, reaching US$1.1 billion in 2013.

The Vietnamese diplomat also praised the contributions made by the community of more than 15,000 Vietnamese people living in Sweden to fostering the two countries’ friendship.

Swedish Minister for Trade Ewa Bjorling held that both nations boast great cooperation potential, especially in the areas of Sweden’s strength such as environment, climate change, green technology, urban transport and education.

She said she hoped that together with world-famous companies like Ericsson, Electrolux and Tetra Pak, more and more Swedish businesses will invest in Vietnam and confirmed that Vietnamese businesses are always welcomed in Sweden.

The Swedish Minister said her country prioritizes promoting economic, trade and investment ties with other countries and its partners while expressing her hope that negotiations on a free trade agreement between Vietnam and the EU will end on schedule later this year to help boost trade exchanges between Vietnam and the EU as well as between Vietnam and Sweden.

The Vietnamese Embassy used the occasion to introduce the image of Vietnamese land, people and culture to Swedish and international friends through art performances, an oil-painting exhibition and a Vietnamese culinary programme.