President Nguyen Xuan Phuc (right, centre) and his Swiss counterpart Guy Parmelin (left, centre) at the talks in Bern city on November 26. (Photo: VNA)
Bern (VNA) – President Nguyen Xuan Phuc held
talks with his Swiss counterpart Guy Parmelin following the official welcome
ceremony for the Vietnamese leader in Bern city on November 26.
President Phuc, who is paying an official visit to the
European country, affirmed that the State and people of Vietnam always keep in
mind and treasure the precious support and assistance that Switzerland has
given to their struggle for national independence in the past as well as
national development at present.
The two leaders noted with satisfaction that over the last half
century, the traditional friendship and cooperation between the two countries
have been growing well in multiple fields.
They discussed areas of cooperation and reached
consensus on many measures to advance Vietnam - Switzerland relations. They agreed
to increase exchanges and meetings to further intensify mutual understanding
and trust and promote bilateral cooperation in all aspects.
President Parmelin highly valued Vietnam’s breakthrough
achievements in socio-economic development and COVID-19 containment, stressing
that Vietnam is an important economic partner of Switzerland in Southeast Asia.
Asking the Government of Switzerland to encourage Swiss enterprises
to invest in Vietnam, President Phuc noted that the Southeast Asian nation is
working hard to improve the business - investment climate and create favourable
conditions for foreign firms to operate in the long term.
The leaders agreed to make efforts to soon conclude
negotiations on a free trade agreement between Vietnam and the European Free
Trade Association (EFTA). They also expressed their delight at the progress in scientific
- technological cooperation and agreed to further strengthen links in science -
technology and education - training.
President Phuc thanked the Swiss Government for providing
ODA for Vietnam. Meanwhile, the Swiss President assessed Vietnam as an
effective ODA using partner, adding that the Swiss Government has decided
to continue to provide Vietnam with 70 million CHF (over 75.6
million USD) worth of ODA in the 2021-2024 period.
The Vietnamese leader thanked the Swiss Government for
its donation of medical equipment valued at about 5 million USD for Vietnam's COVID-19
prevention and control on the occasion of Swiss Vice President Ignazio Casis’s
visit to Vietnam in August. He proposed the two sides promote cooperation
between their enterprises and research facilities in the development,
production and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines and treatment drugs.
President Phuc thanks and proposed the Swiss Government continue creating favourable
conditions for the overseas Vietnamese community to well integrate into the host society.
The two leaders agreed to strengthen cooperation and mutual
support at multilateral forums and international organisations such as the
United Nations and the Asia - Europe cooperation mechanism.
Vietnam agreed to help Switzerland strengthen its
relationship with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
Regarding the East Sea issue, Switzerland stressed the importance of ensuring freedom
of navigation, compliance with international law, and settlement of disputes via
peaceful measures based on transparent dialogue and trust building./.