Vietnam is Switzerland's top priority economic partner in Southeast Asia.

At the meeting with Swiss President Viola Amherd, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh thanked the Swiss Government for its warm welcome and congratulated Switzerland on successfully organizing the World Economic Forum (WEF) Davos 2024 with the participation of nearly 3,000 leaders of governments and businesses around the world.

The two sides expressed their delight at the strong developments in the friendship and cooperation between the two countries, especially in the fields of economy, trade, development assistance, culture and education; affirmed that the leaders of the two countries regularly maintain contacts and exchange delegations, which have contributed to strengthening political trust between the two countries.

Việt Nam là đối tác kinh tế ưu tiên hàng đầu của Thụy Sĩ tại Đông Nam Á- Ảnh 1. — Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Swiss President Viola Amherd

The Swiss President highly appreciated Vietnam's outstanding socio-economic development achievements in recent years; affirmed that Vietnam is Switzerland's top priority and important economic partner in Southeast Asia.

The Swiss President pledged to continue providing development aid to Vietnam, with more than 40 projects being implemented in various fields, including sharing experiences in sustainable development, education, business, and innovation.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh affirmed that the achievements of cooperation between the two countries over the past 50 years are proof of the effective cooperation between the two countries; and are the basis for the two sides to continue to elevate the relationship in the coming time.

The Prime Minister suggested that the two sides coordinate closely to prepare well for high-level visits between the two countries, thereby reviewing and evaluating cooperation results and proposing measures to further promote cooperation.

The Prime Minister thanked the Swiss Government for providing ODA, contributing to supporting Vietnam in achieving many socio-economic development achievements; wished to have more Swiss enterprises invest in Vietnam; strengthen cooperation in science - technology, innovation; and enhance cooperation in national security and defense.

The two leaders also agreed to have a flexible approach in negotiating the Vietnam-European Free Trade Association (EFTA) Free Trade Agreement and the bilateral investment protection agreement to facilitate and ensure the interests of businesses and investors of the two countries. On multilateral issues, they affirmed to continue to closely coordinate in regional and international forums in the coming time.

Regarding the East Sea issue, the two sides agreed on the importance of ensuring freedom of navigation and aviation in compliance with international law, resolving disputes by peaceful means, on the basis of compliance with international law, especially the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS 1982); minimizing the impacts of geopolitical factors on the supply chain and the circulation of goods in the region and globally.

On this occasion, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh thanked and asked the Swiss Government to continue creating favorable conditions for the Vietnamese community in Switzerland to integrate well, make positive contributions to the development of Switzerland as well as contribute to strengthening the friendship and cooperation between the two countries.

Vietnam is a model of development in a volatile world.

At the meeting with UNCTAD Secretary General Rebeca Grynspan, Ms. Rebeca Grynspan emphasized that UNCTAD always considers Vietnam a model of development, confidence and optimism in the context of the current volatile world situation. Personally, as the former Vice President of Costa Rica, she always considers Vietnam a model of development and wishes to visit Vietnam.

Việt Nam là đối tác kinh tế ưu tiên hàng đầu của Thụy Sĩ tại Đông Nam Á- Ảnh 2. — Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and UNCTAD Secretary General Rebeca Grynspan

The UNCTAD Secretary-General shared that on the occasion of its 60th anniversary this year, UNCTAD will organize a global conference and hopes that Vietnam will send leaders to attend. At the same time, he hopes that Vietnam will participate and actively contribute to the organization of the UNCTAD Ministerial Conference in 2025.

The Prime Minister thanked the Secretary-General for his good feelings towards Vietnam; affirmed that Vietnam highly appreciates the role of UNCTAD in supporting developing countries, including Vietnam, in providing advice and support in building development policies, contributing to maintaining a prosperous life for the people.

The Prime Minister affirmed that thanks to UNCTAD's support, Vietnam is confident and steadfast in its proposed development paths; expressed his hope that UNCTAD will continue to support Vietnam in all aspects of development, help train human resources, and especially create conditions to recruit more Vietnamese experts to work at the UNCTAD Secretariat in the coming time.

The Prime Minister also hopes that UNCTAD will further promote its role in promoting global cooperation and South-South cooperation, especially the tripartite cooperation model between Vietnam and a developed country and a less developed country.

On this occasion, the Prime Minister invited the Secretary-General to soon visit Vietnam to continue discussing measures to strengthen cooperation between the two sides.

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