Vietnam has always attached great importance to strengthening and expanding multi-faceted co-operation with member countries of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), said National Assembly Vice Chairman Nguyen Duc Kien.

At a reception for Svein Roalh Hansen, President of the EFTA Parliamentary Committee in Hanoi on February 24, Kien said Vietnam and the EFTA should expand cooperation in economy, trade, investment, culture and science and technology among others. He expressed hope that EFTA nations would further support Vietnam’s efforts in overcoming consequences of the war, maintaining peace and stability for development, and improving people’s living conditions for the early signing of FTA.

Kien affirmed that the Vietnam National Assembly would accelerate the negotiation process to facilitate the signature of a free trade agreement (FTA) ahead of schedule.

For his part, Svein Roalh Hansen told the host that the EFTA was willing to recognize Vietnam as a market economy while stressing that the signature of the FTA would be an important step forward.

(VOVNEWS)