Ms Lindstedt made the affirmation while receiving Vietnam's Friendship Medal at the Vietnamese Embassy in Mexico on October 20. She said Vietnam has made impressive achievements in linking economic growth to hunger and poverty reduction, raising people's living standards, improving healthcare and education services and paying attention to environmental protection. She considered Vietnam’s achievements in poverty reduction and education development valuable lessons which should be replicated in other countries.

Speaking with a Vietnam News Agency correspondent in Mexico, Anna Lindstedt highly valued the election process at the 10th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam as well as Vietnam's policies in respect for citizens' rights, freedom of speech and press and democratic practices at the grassroots level.

Anna Lindstedt, who assumed office as Swedish Ambassador to Mexico two months ago, said Vietnam's upcoming entry into the World Trade Organisation (WTO) will help Sweden to expand trade and investment activities in Vietnam.

VNA/VOVNews