During the nine-day visit to the three countries from May 20-28, the Prime Minister had a working program with more than 50 activities. He had talks, and meetings with senior leaders of the three countries; attended business forums, met investors, overseas Vietnamese, visited and worked at localities, production establishments, high-tech centers of enterprises and large corporations; and met with Russian and Swedish friends who have made great contribution to the national construction and defense of Vietnam.

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and his wife. Photo: VNA

In each country, talks and meetings took place in a frank, honest, effective and substantial manner; many cooperation documents between the two sides were signed.

During the visit to Russia, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc had a private exchange and talks with Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev, met with President Vladimir Putin, Chairman of the State Duma, Chairman of the Russian Federation Council. On this occasion, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and Prime Minister Medvedev attended the opening ceremony of the Vietnam Year in Russia and Russia Year in Vietnam in 2019-2020.

The two sides emphasized the importance of the celebrations with more than 200 diverse activities in many localities, considering them great events in bilateral relations. Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc affirmed that in whatever world situation, Russia has been and will always be a big and reliable friend of Vietnam.

Affirming that energy was one of the important pillars of Vietnam-Russia cooperation, the two sides agreed to direct enterprises of the two country to explore and exploit oil and gas in Vietnam's continental shelf and in the Russian territory; strengthen defense and security cooperation in signed mechanisms. The two sides agreed to implement the project on construction of a nuclear research and technology center in Vietnam; maintaining that Vietnam and Russia have great potential for cooperation in investment with many projects proposed and implemented over the past time. Russia is ready to support Vietnam to build e-government, including online public service portal, information security center, smart city model.

During the official visit to Norway, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc had talks with Prime Minister Erna Solberg, paid courtesy calls to King Harald V, and President of the Parliament Tone Trøen .

Both sides agreed to accelerate negotiations on a free trade deal between Vietnam and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), in which Norway is a coordinator; encourage the business communities of the two countries to continue to promote and expand business investment cooperation, especially in important areas such as solar energy, petroleum technical services, blue sea economy, in which both sides help raise consumption, and improve the quality of each other's seafood (Vietnamese catfish, Norwegian salmon).

During the official visit to Sweden, the Prime Minister had talks with Swedish counterpart Stefan Löfven, paid a courtesy call to King Carl XVI Gustav and met Speaker of the Swedish Parliament Andreas Norlen.

The two Prime Ministers affirmed that trade and investment relations played an important role and in order to exploit the great potential in this area, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc proposed that the Swedish Government pay attention to and encourage Sweden businesses to increase investment in Vietnam in areas of Sweden’s strength such as manufacturing, chemicals, electronics, communication and information, afforestation and sustainable timber exploitation and processing, waste treatment, pharmaceuticals, automobile supporting industries.

The two Prime Ministers agreed to work closely for the signing of the Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) and the Vietnam-EU Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) in the coming weeks, early ratification and implementation for mutual benefits to contribute to strengthening trade and investment relations between Vietnam and Sweden. The Swedish Prime Minister handed over to the Vietnamese side the Letter of Intent on export credit of over US$ 2 billion to Vietnam.

At talks and meetings with leaders of Russia, Norway, Sweden, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc discussed international and regional issues; emphasized the importance and necessity of ensuring peace, stability, maintaining security, safety and freedom of navigation and aviation in the East Sea. The Prime Minister also suggested the three governments continue to create favorable conditions for the Vietnamese community to live and integrate steadily, preserve Vietnamese cultural identity and promote cooperative relations.

During the visits to the three countries, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc spent time to meet and have dialogues with leading enterprises and corporations, as well as visiting outstanding economic establishments of Russia, Norway and Sweden. He attended Business Forums to inform businesses about Vietnam's potential, development policies and perspectives and call on businesses to invest in Vietnam with modern technology.

During the visits, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc also visited and encouraged Vietnamese communities in Russia, Norway, Sweden; affirmed to continue to create favorable conditions for them to contribute to the development of the countries and expressed hope that "every overseas Vietnamese acts an agent of Vietnamese goods."

The Prime Minister also met and expressed gratitude to Russian, and Swedish experts and friends who have assisted Vietnam during the war and in the renovation process. “From hearts to hearts, we will never forget but always remember each other with sincerity, and gratitude,” said the Prime Minister.

It can be said that the official visits to Russia, Norway and Sweden of Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and the high-level delegation of the Government of Vietnam was a success. The visits are significant political events contributing to the continuation and strengthening of good traditional friendship and opening of new cooperation directions with specific programs and projects on the basis of creative, high-tech application, efficiency and benefits for businesses, and peoples of the three countries.