After 40 years of Sweden’s traditional development cooperation to Vietnam, it’s time to discuss new flexible ways of cooperation. The purpose of the visit was, therefore, a good opportunity for the Sida Director General to learn more about the democracy and human rights situation in Vietnam and to discuss how to start the new formality of cooperation on the basis of the strong past cooperation.

Mr Nordström and Mr Cao Viet Sinh, Vice Minister of Planning and Investment of Vietnam signed the new Development Cooperation Agreement between Sweden and Vietnam for the period 2009 – 2011. Following the signing, they had informative discussion on future cooperation between the two countries. Mr Nordström said: “Sweden is willing to share its green economic growth experience as well as its experience in democracy and human rights on the basis of our long development journey.”

At his meeting with the Deputy Inspector General Mr Mai Quoc Binh, Mr Nordström stressed that corruption remains rampant and needs to be addressed to improve the public confidence on the State and the Party. He also highlighted the importance of “transparency” in both public and private sectors to ensure no opportunity for corruption, but underlined the challenge facing Vietnam’s inspection system such as the lack of human resources and capacity.

Mr Anders Nordström said: “Anti-corruption is one of the priorities of Sweden in Vietnam in the Country Strategy 2009 – 2013 and the Cooperation Agreement 2009 – 2011. In the fight against corruption, experience from other countries prove that the media plays an important role in monitoring the performance of the public and private sectors and even leaders/politicians.”

During his two day visit, the Sida Director General also had separate meetings with representatives from the Swedish business community in Vietnam, international donors of Vietnam and local NGOs. All the meetings discussed Vietnam’s work in dealing with corruption, environment and climate change and human rights. It was a common remark that Vietnam has recognised that corruption is unaffordable but its work to combat corruption is not efficient and not effective. Environment and climate change have been realised by the Government as a huge challenge and small actions have been taken place but the country’s Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources has to be given increased resources from the Government The dialogue concerning increased respect for  human rights need to be continued.