Vietnamese Deputy State President Dang Thi Ngoc Thinh and Crown Princess of Sweden Victoria Ingrid Alice Désiree discussed measures to beef up the friendship and cooperation between their two countries during their talks in Hanoi on Monday.

The meeting was convened within the framework of the crown princess’ official visit to Vietnam from May 6 to 8, which is considered an important event in a series of activities marking the 50th anniversary of the two countries’ diplomatic ties, according to the Vietnam News Agency.

Thinh suggested that both nations maintain the exchange of high-level visits to help create a strong driving force for the bilateral cooperation to grow in various fields.

She relayed the regards and invitation to visit Vietnam from Party General Secretary and State President Nguyen Phu Trong to the King and Queen of Sweden.

Crown Princess Désiree praised Vietnam’s achievements in socio-economic development and international integration, affirming that Sweden focuses on developing its cooperative ties with the Southeast Asian country.

The two sides agreed to work together to help businesses seek more investment and collaboration opportunities, especially in such fields as science and technology, education and training, healthcare, environmental protection, and smart urban construction.

The Vietnamese vice-state president asked Sweden to continue backing the settlement of disputes via peaceful means, in accordance with international law, to maintain peace, security, and navigation freedom and safety in the East Vietnam Sea.

Vietnam also seeks Sweden’s support in its run for a non-permanent member seat on the United Nations Security Council for the 2020-21 term, Thinh said.

She also asked for more favorable conditions for the Vietnamese community in Sweden to live, work, and integrate into the local society, thus contributing to the enhancement of bilateral ties.

Following the talks, Deputy State President Thinh hosted a banquet for the crown princess and her spouse on the evening of the same day.

During her stay in Vietnam, Crown Princess Désiree was scheduled to make a courtesy visit to Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and Chairwoman of the National Assembly Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan.

She would also attend a business forum between the two countries.

Crown Princess Victoria Ingrid Alice Désiree, born in 1977, is the eldest child of King of Sweden Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia.

She used to work at the Swedish Embassy in the U.S. in 1999 and at the United Nations in 2002.

Sweden was the first Western country to establish diplomatic ties with Vietnam in 1969.

As an important European partner of Vietnam, Sweden has so far provided Vietnam with US$3.4 billion in non-refundable aid, while two-way trade between the two sides topped $1.8 billion last year.

A number of well-known Swedish corporations, such as Ericson, Electrolux, IKEA and ABB, have been doing good business in Vietnam.

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