(VOV) - Speaker of the Swedish Parliament Per Westerberg has hailed the fine traditional friendship between Vietnam and Sweden, noting that Sweden attaches importance to boosting cooperation with Vietnam. He made the remarks at Friday meeting in Stockholm with Deputy Prime Minister Vu Van Ninh. Ninh reiterated that Sweden’s ODA for Vietnam is of great importance for the country’s poverty reduction and socio-economic development, and expressed his hope for continued support in the future through appropriate cooperation programs.

Deputy PM Vu Van Ninh and Speaker of Swedish Parliament Per Westerberg

The same day, Deputy Prime Minister Vu Van Ninh also worked with the Minister for Trade and Nordic Cooperation of Sweden Ewa Bjorling as part of his visit from April 9-12. The Deputy PM reiterated Vietnam’s external policy of strengthening and developing relations with traditional countries in northern Europe, including Sweden. Ninh confirmed that the Vietnamese government will create every condition for Swedish enterprises to do long-term business in the country.

During a meeting with Swedish State Secretary for Foreign Affairs Frank Belfrage, Ninh affirmed Vietnam’s willingness to serve as a bridge for Sweden to develop a relationship with ASEAN members. Sweden confirmed the resolution of disputes in the East Sea by peaceful means and on the basis of international law. On Saturday, Deputy Prime Minister Vu Van Ninh and his delegation will leave Stockholm for London for their official visit to the UK at the invitation of Government of the UK and Northern Ireland.