Prime Nguyễn Xuân Phúc (first left) and Swedish counterpart Stefan Lofven (first right) are on the way to attend the Việt Nam-Sweden business forum in Stockholm on Monday. — VNA/VNS Photo Thống Nhất

STOCKHOLM — Việt Nam always treasures its traditional friendship with Sweden and wants to further strengthen bilateral ties in diverse areas, Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc told his Swedish counterpart Stefan Lofven during their talks in Stockholm on Monday (May 27). 

PM Phúc, who is on an official visit to Sweden from May 26-28, said he was delighted to visit on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties.
He said the Vietnamese people will always remember the support Swedish people had for the country during the American War, as well as in its current development and global integration.
Lofven, for his part, said the visit will drive bilateral ties, adding that the Swedish government considers Việt Nam an important partner in Southeast Asia.
The two PMs agreed that Việt Nam-Sweden ties have thrived over the past few years. In particular, the visit to Việt Nam by Crown Princess of Sweden Victoria on May 6-8 contributed to cementing the friendship between the two nations.
They agreed to facilitate visits and continue implementing bilateral co-operation mechanisms.
As bilateral trade-investment ties have yet to match the two nations’ potential, the Vietnamese PM asked the Swedish government to encourage firms to invest in Việt Nam in manufacturing, chemicals, electronics, information and communications, forest plantation, sustainable wood processing, waste treatment, pharmaceuticals and the support industry for automobiles.
They also vowed to increase ties in innovation, smart urban development, environment, artificial intelligence, information and communications, and healthcare.
Host and guest said they were pleased with the Việt Nam-Sweden Business Forum in Stockholm during the visit, and affirmed the importance of promoting connectivity among businesses following the Việt Nam-Sweden Business Summit held in Hà Nội during Crown Princess Victoria’s visit.
The Vietnamese PM asked Sweden to support the Việt Nam-European Union (EU) comprehensive partnership.

The two PMs promised to work closely together to step up the signing of the EU-Việt Nam Free Trade Agreement in the coming weeks.
On the occasion, the Swedish government leader presented a letter of intent on investment credit worth more than US$2 billion in Việt Nam to his guest.
The host also had high praise for the Vietnamese community’s contributions to prosperity and cultural diversity in Sweden.
The two sides pledged to boost liaisons at regional and global forums such as the UN, the Asia-Europe Meeting, the ASEAN-EU cooperation, as well as join common efforts to cope with global issues like climate change and sustainable development.
They also agreed on the importance of the settlement of disputes by peaceful means, ensuring navigation and aviation freedom in line with international law and the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
Lofven also accepted Phúc’s invitation to visit Việt Nam. — VNS