On the occasion of attending the 68th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) in New York (USA), on March 11, Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan had bilateral meetings with Swiss President Viola Amheard, Latvian Prime Minister Evika Silina and received New York City Mayor Eric Adams.
Comprehensively promoting bilateral and multilateral cooperation between Vietnam and Switzerland
In a friendly and open atmosphere, Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan warmly congratulated Ms. Viola Amheard on becoming the President of Switzerland and the first woman to hold the position of Minister of Defense, Civil Protection and Sports of Switzerland.
Appreciating the positive developments in Vietnam-Switzerland relations after more than 50 years of establishing diplomatic relations, especially in the fields of economics, trade, investment, culture, education, and people-to-people exchange, Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan suggested that the two sides continue to actively exchange delegations at all levels, especially high-level ones, to comprehensively promote bilateral and multilateral cooperation.
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| Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan hopes that Vietnam and Switzerland will continue to promote development cooperation, innovation, and coordinate to contribute to the common efforts of the international community for sustainable development. Photo: VNA |
The Vice President expressed his gratitude to the Swiss Government for providing important official development assistance (ODA) to Vietnam since 1992 in the renovation process and hoped that the two sides would continue to promote development cooperation, innovation, and coordinate to contribute to the common efforts of the international community for sustainable development.
For her part, Swiss President Viola Amherd highly appreciated Vietnam's socio-economic achievements in recent years and affirmed that Switzerland always attaches importance to the friendship and multi-faceted cooperation with Vietnam, and believes that the two countries still have a lot of room and potential for economic, trade and investment cooperation.
The Swiss President shared Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan's views on the significance and importance of gender equality and women's empowerment in the current volatile international environment, agreeing that both sides need to proactively coordinate and contribute to the common efforts of the United Nations and the international community in this field, especially promoting the role of women in maintaining peace, security, and participating in the United Nations peacekeeping force.
The two leaders also discussed a number of international and regional issues of mutual concern, including the situation in Europe. On this occasion, the Vice President respectfully conveyed the invitation of President Vo Van Thuong to the Swiss President to visit Vietnam at an appropriate time.
Expanding friendly relations and multifaceted cooperation with Latvia
During a meeting with Latvian Prime Minister Evika Silina, Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan emphasized that Vietnam always values and wishes to further develop the friendship and multifaceted cooperation with Latvia.
The Vice President expressed his gratitude to Latvia for being one of the first countries to support Vietnam with Covid-19 vaccines during the tense period of the pandemic, and also being one of the first European Union (EU) member countries to ratify the Vietnam-EU Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA).
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| The Vice President suggested that Latvia raise its voice in support of the European Commission (EC) to soon remove the “yellow card” on Vietnam’s seafood exports. Photo: VNA |
Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan respectfully conveyed the invitation of the Vietnamese leaders to the Latvian Prime Minister to visit Vietnam soon to strengthen political cooperation, exchange policies and measures to exploit the advantages and potentials of each country in terms of economy, trade, investment, especially effectively utilizing the Vietnam - EU Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA).
The Vice President suggested that Latvia support the European Commission (EC) to soon remove the “yellow card” on Vietnam’s seafood exports, and coordinate with Vietnam and the international community to promote the resolution of international conflicts and disputes by peaceful means, on the basis of international law, including the East Sea issue.
Expressing her delight at the positive developments in the bilateral relationship after more than 30 years of establishing diplomatic relations (from 1992 to present), Latvian Prime Minister Evika Silina also shared the proposals and assessments of Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan on strengthening multifaceted cooperation between Vietnam and Latvia, especially in economics and trade.
The Latvian Prime Minister said that the two countries need to continue promoting cooperation in other potential areas such as information and communication, science and technology, labor, and pharmaceuticals.
Ms. Evika Silina said that many Vietnamese students studying at Latvian educational institutions have achieved good academic results; emphasizing that the Latvian Government will continue to prioritize educational and training cooperation with Vietnam.
The two leaders also discussed a number of international and regional issues of mutual concern, including the situation in Europe; the two sides agreed to strengthen cooperation and support each other at multilateral forums, including the United Nations, as well as continue to promote the two countries' cooperation with ASEAN and the EU.
New York wants to promote cooperation with Vietnam
At the reception for Mr. Eric Adams, Mayor of New York City, Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan expressed her pleasure in visiting New York City and thanked the city for supporting and facilitating the activities of the high-ranking Vietnamese delegation to New York to attend the conference.
The Vice President highly appreciated the role of New York as the largest urban center of the United States with a long history and great economic, cultural and intellectual influence at the national and international levels. This is the place that has witnessed a number of historical milestones in the Vietnam - US relationship and today is an important hub for Vietnamese businesses and people to promote business activities and exchanges with the United States.
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| Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan affirmed that Vietnam attaches importance to cooperation with the United States. Photo: VNA |
Sharing about the positive steps taken by the two countries to implement the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership since its establishment in September 2023, Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan affirmed that Vietnam attaches importance to cooperation with the United States; Vietnam-US relations are entering a new stage of development with many opportunities for exchange and cooperation at the national, local, business and people levels.
Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan suggested that New York City continue to care for and support people and businesses of the United States and New York to invest and do business in Vietnam, as well as care for, support and create conditions for businesses and the Vietnamese community in New York to grow stronger, contributing to the city's development as well as the Vietnam-US relationship.
Encouraging New York and Ho Chi Minh City to establish mechanisms to effectively implement the cooperation agreement between the two cities, including enhancing exchanges and connecting people and businesses of both sides, the Vice President asked New York to share experiences and support Ho Chi Minh City in developing an international financial center.
The Vice President affirmed that Vietnamese ministries and sectors are ready to support New York's cooperation activities with Vietnamese localities in areas of interest.
On behalf of the city government and people, Mayor Eric Adams expressed his joy and honor to welcome Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan to New York to attend the important United Nations Conference.
Recalling his impressions of his visit to Vietnam nearly 25 years ago as well as welcoming many Vietnamese leaders to New York, the Mayor affirmed that New York wishes to continue promoting good cooperative relations with Vietnam, especially implementing the Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation between Ho Chi Minh City and New York City signed in September 2023. The Mayor of New York looks forward to visiting Vietnam and Ho Chi Minh City again soon.
Mr. Eric Adams agreed with the Vice President's opinions and affirmed that he would promote New York's strengths to strengthen relations with partners in Vietnam.
Expressing pride in being one of the 10 cities in the United States with the largest Vietnamese community, the Mayor welcomed the greater presence of Vietnamese businesses, students and the community in New York.
Mayor Eric Adams affirmed that New York will closely coordinate with Ho Chi Minh City to implement cooperation in the coming time, expressing interest in promoting cultural, tourism, culinary, student exchanges as well as connecting businesses of both sides in the fields of high technology and innovation.
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