Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc welcomes new Swedish Ambassador to Vietnam Ann Mawe

During the reception, PM Phuc showed his elation at the growing ties between Vietnam and Sweden over the past years, especially at a time when the two nations are organizing a host of activities to celebrate the 50th anniversary of their diplomatic relations.
 

Sweden is Vietnam’s important and trustworthy partner in the EU, he said, noting that the two-way trade has been on the rise, hitting US$1.5 billion in 2018 and US$1.2 billion in the first three quarters of last year. Swedish investors currently run 67 projects worth US$ 364 million in Vietnam.

The PM said the figures fail to match the two countries’ potential so the ambassador should work to further promote bilateral trade and investment.

Ambassador Ann Mawe, for her part, said 2019 saw numerous high-level exchange visits between the two nations while hailing the visit of PM Phuc to Sweden and of Crown Princess of Sweden Victoria Ingrid Alice Désiree to Vietnam.

She also congratulated Vietnam on its assumption of ASEAN Chair in 2020 and a non-permanent seat in the UN Security Council for 2020-2021.

The diplomat suggested the two countries further step up cooperation in innovation, the field Sweden holds strength, as well as in aviation, among others.

She noted that the Sweden – Southeast Asia Business Summit is set to take place in the next two weeks, offering a good opportunity for leading Swedish firms to learn about ASEAN nations’ view on economic growth and to promote trade and investment between the two sides.

Sweden greatly values Vietnam’s major steps in anti-corruption and the newly-adopted labour standards which are in line with international practices, Mawe said.

PM Phuc agreed with the Swedish ambassador on the promotion of high-level visits and expressed his wish to welcome the Swedish PM to visit Vietnam soon.

He also asked Sweden to soon ratify the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) and the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) to deliver benefits to firms and people of both sides.

The PM expected to see more Swedish corporations come to Vietnam to further elevate the bilateral trade and the investment inflow into Vietnam, helping to foster the two countries’ relations.

Receiving French Ambassador to Vietnam  Nicolas Warnery the same day, the cabinet leader expressed his delight at the sound relations between the two countries over the past years with many high-level exchange visits. On this occasion, PM extended the invitation of Party General Secretary and President Nguyen Phu Trong to the French President, saying Vietnam looks forward to welcoming the President of France to Vietnam soon.

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc receives French Ambassador to Vietnam Nicolas Warnery

The Government chief praised France for implementing projects in environment, particularly climate change in Vietnam while affirming Vietnam’s readiness to work with France in environmental protection, trade, investment, and aviation.

He expressed his confidence that close liaison between the two nations will continue making practical contributions to world peace and security.

The French diplomat, in turn, said his nation supports the ratification of the Vietnam-EU Free Trade Agreement and Investment Protection Agreement and is taking measures to push for early ratification by the European Parliament. France wants to work with Vietnam in economics, defense, security, education, health care, and culture, he told his host.

Regarding the East Sea issue, Nicolas Warnery reiterated France’s stance on supporting international law compliance, including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

He said the French Development Agency (AFD) has invested in many projects in Vietnam, recently an environment project, contributing to delivering on commitments under the Paris Agreement.

France is also keen to continue stepping up collaboration with Vietnam across education, health care, e-government, and accelerating  projects in Hanoi to improve air quality, infrastructure, environment and culture, the diplomat added.