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Troika press conference in Hanoi

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Jul 1 2009

Sweden takes over the EU Presidency

The Swedish Presidency of the EU was launched in Hanoi today, July 1, 2009 with a Troika Press Conference to highlight the Swedish Government’s priorities in the coming six months.

The Ambassador of Sweden, Mr Rolf Bergman informed the representatives from the Vietnamese media and foreign correspondents that the Swedish Presidency’s vision is a strong and effective Europe where focus is on the common responsibility to meet the challenges of today and tomorrow. Sweden’s ambition is to conduct an open, responsive and result-oriented Presidency.

Ambassador Bergman together with the Head of the EC Delegation, Ambassador Sean Doyle and the Ambassador of Spain, Ms Soledad Fuentes briefed the participants of the Presidency’s work programme with the five main priorities. They include economy and employment; climate change; the Stockholm Programme, which focuses on the justice and home affairs areas; the Baltic Sea Strategy to work together to meet the environmental challenges and to transform the Baltic Sea region into a stronger engine for growth and development and the EU as a global and regional actor.

Ambassador Rolf Bergman said that the results of the efforts to overcome the economic crisis and climate change, should also, hopefully benefit Vietnam.

Regarding local priorities, the Ambassadors of the Troika expressed their wish and hoped that negotiations between the EU and Vietnam on a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA) would be successful. They elaborated: “Discussions on the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement is expected to be completed by October 2010. The Agreement will cover a wide range of cooperation areas. The Free Trade Agreement will lead to increased trade between Vietnam and the EU. The EU will work hard to get out of the economic crisis and this will lead to increased trade between the EU and Vietnam.”

Ambassador Sean Doyle told the media that Sweden’s close friendship with Vietnam is a good foundation for the relations between the EU and Vietnam during the Swedish EU Presidency.

When asked about their comments on Vietnam’s efforts in fighting corruption, the Ambassador of Sweden said that progress has been made but it’s time to implement the strategy, laws, policies and decisions made by the Government. He added: “In the fight against corruption, the media plays a very important role. I encourage you, reporters to write more articles about corruption cases.” As the lead donor in the Anti-Corruption Dialogue with the Government of Vietnam, Sweden, on behalf of other Development Partners, will continue to support Vietnam in its fight against corruption.

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