Stockholm (VNA) – Vietnam’s National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan andSpeaker of the Swedish parliament Urban Ahlin agreed to enhance theircountries’ parliamentary relations during talks in Stockholm on April 6.

At talks following a welcoming ceremony,Chairwoman Ngan said Vietnam and Sweden boast a traditional friendship andmultifaceted cooperation. 

With the help of the European nation, projects likethe Vietnam National Hospital of Pediatrics in Hanoi, the Vietnam-Sweden Hospitalin Quang Ninh province and the Bai Bang paper factory in Phu Tho province havebecome symbols of Sweden’s support and the two countries’ amity, she noted.

She congratulated Sweden on its election as anon-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council for 2017-2018,voicing her belief that the country will contribute to promoting peace,security and adherence to international law.

She asked Sweden to support Vietnam’s candidacyfor a seat on the UN Security Council for 2020-2021.

The top Vietnamese legislator also asked Swedento urge the European Union (EU) to ratify the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement(EVFTA) and recognise her country’s market economy, helping the two countries’businesses to expand partnerships.

As Sweden has a strong judicial sector, shecalled on its parliament to share experience in making laws and supervisingstate agencies’ activities with its Vietnamese counterpart.

For his part, Speaker Urban Ahlin said theofficial visit by Chairwoman Ngan will open up new prospects for bilateral tiesas well as inter-regional and international cooperation. 

He noted with satisfaction progress in bilateralcooperation, especially in economy, trade, investment, transport and healthcare. The parliaments’ relations have also improved.

At the talks, the two sides agreed that Vietnamand Sweden need to bring their trade and investment relations on par withpotential.

They hoped that parliamentary connections willbe reinforced through increasing supervising and implementing the twoGovernments’ cooperation agreements and projects. The legislatures will supportthe Vietnamese and Swedish Governments, localities, enterprises and peoples toenhance exchanges, development cooperation and environmental protection.

The early signing and ratification of the EVFTAwill benefit all parties involved and help foster trade between Vietnam and theEU, including Sweden, the officials said.

Ahlin affirmed that he supports the EU’s earlysigning and ratification of the deal.

On this occasion, they also discussed genderequality, women’s role in society and fighting corruption.

The Swedish speaker said his country isexperienced in lawmaking and is ready to share its expertise in supervisingstate agencies’ activities, building smart cities, protecting the environmentand reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Also on April 6, National Assembly ChairwomanNgan visited the Swedish parliament and attended a banquet hosted by SpeakerAhlin.-VNA