At a March 19 reception for Swedish Secretary of Foreign Affairs Frank Belfrage in Hanoi, Ninh called on Sweden to further support Vietnam in enhancing its all-round cooperation with the European Union (EU) and negotiating the Vietnam-EU Free Trade Agreement (VEFTA).
The Deputy PM expressed his gratitude to the Swedish Parliament for its approval of the Vietnam-EU Partnership and Cooperation Agreement.
Congratulating Belfrage as the chair of the Hanoi conference of Swedish ambassadors in Asia, Ninh described the event as a meaningful activity marking the 45th anniversary of Vietnam-Sweden diplomatic ties.
He also thanked the Swedish government and people for their valuable support to Vietnam during its past struggle for national independence and reunification and the current national construction and development.
Ninh expressed his delight at the vigorous development of bilateral cooperation over past years, noting that last year’s two-way trade exceeded US$1 billion, up 24% from the previous year.
The Deputy PM also applauded the Swedish government for encouraging their enterprises to operate in Vietnam, especially in areas that Vietnam demands.
Belfrage, in return, said Sweden pledges to support Vietnam in stepping up its relations with the EU and its VEFTA negotiations so as to push up economic and trade exchange between Vietnam and Sweden and the EU in general.
