Vietnam always attaches importance to the traditional friendship and cooperation with Switzerland.

National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue expressed his hope that Vietnam and Switzerland will continue to cooperate and share experiences in the legislative field to create a development institution that meets current global requirements.

National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue and President of the Swiss National Council Martin Candinas. (Source: VNA)

At the invitation of National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue, Chairman of the National Council (Lower House) Martin Candinas and a high-ranking Swiss delegation paid an official visit to Vietnam from June 27-30.

On the morning of June 28, at the National Assembly House, a solemn welcoming ceremony took place for Speaker of the House of Representatives Martin Candinas and the delegation, chaired by National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue. After the welcoming ceremony, the two sides held talks.

National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue warmly welcomed Speaker of the House of Representatives Martin Candinas and his delegation on their official visit to Vietnam. The delegation included First Vice President of the House of Representatives Eric Nussbaumer and Second Vice President of the House of Representatives Maja Riniker, demonstrating Switzerland's respect for Vietnam in general, as well as the cooperative relationship between the two legislative bodies in particular.

Speaker of the House of Representatives Martin Candinas expressed his gratitude for the warm welcome of the Vietnamese National Assembly and National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue; at the same time, he emphasized that Switzerland was one of the first Western European countries to recognize and establish diplomatic relations with Vietnam since 1971. Over the past 52 years of establishing diplomatic relations, the relationship between the two countries has developed well, with close cooperation, not only in bilateral relations but also in multilateral forums.

View of the talks. (Photo: Doan Tan/VNA)

At the meeting, the President of the National Assembly and the President of the Swiss House of Representatives informed each other about the economic and social situation, the structure and functions of the legislative bodies of each country.

National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue shared Vietnam's efforts in completing the Millennium Development Goals as well as updating the United Nations Sustainable Development Agenda (SDGs) into the national development program, opening with the Hanoi Declaration at IPU-132.

Vietnam is focusing on two goals: by 2030, it will be a developing country with modern industry and high average income; by 2045, it will become a developed country with high income. That is the economic basis for Vietnam to make a commitment to Net Zero by 2050 at the COP26 Conference.

The National Assembly Chairman affirmed that Vietnam always attaches importance to the traditional friendship and cooperation with Switzerland, thanking Switzerland for providing Vietnam with more than 600 million USD (ODA) in the period of 1991-2021 as well as supporting Vietnam in preventing and fighting the Covid-19 pandemic.

The National Assembly Chairman suggested that the two sides continue to strengthen cooperation and exchange delegations through all channels; continue to closely coordinate at multilateral forums, contributing to peace, stability and development in the region and the world.

National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue speaks. (Photo: Doan Tan/VNA)

National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue and House of Representatives Chairman Martin Candinas agreed that the bilateral trade turnover in 2022 reached about 810 million USD (about 2.4 billion USD in 2021), and Swiss investment in Vietnam reached nearly 2 billion USD, which is not commensurate with the potential of each country. The two sides agreed to speed up the negotiation and signing of the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between Vietnam and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), which includes Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein.

Expressing his hope that the negotiations and signing of this Agreement will soon be completed by the parties, National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue quoted the saying: "If you want to go fast, go alone, if you want to go far, go together" and in this case, "if you want to go fast and reach the finish line, you must go together".

Sharing with the President of the National Assembly, Mr. Martin Candinas said that Switzerland is very interested in promoting investment, trade, technology and knowledge, so he also hopes that the EFTA Agreement will be signed soon in 2024; emphasizing that trade and investment are like "flowing water", water will flow quickly when there are no obstacles. When the economy develops, purchasing power will be greater, and there will be high-quality products.

National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue stated that the two countries still have many opportunities for cooperation in science, technology, education, and climate change response; at the same time, he suggested that Switzerland increase scholarships and cooperation between educational institutions of the two sides, and implement joint training programs in pharmaceuticals, precision engineering technology, tourism, finance - banking, insurance, etc.

The National Assembly Chairman thanked and requested the Swiss National Assembly and Government to continue creating conditions for the Vietnamese community in Switzerland to stabilize their lives and integrate into the local community, contributing to promoting the friendly relations between the two countries.

Regarding parliamentary cooperation, National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue expressed his hope that the two sides will continue to exchange delegations at all levels, including committees and parliamentarians. The two sides will continue to cooperate and share experiences in the legislative field to build a development institution that meets current global requirements, such as issues of equitable energy transition, digital transformation, and climate change adaptation.

According to National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue, the two sides can increase consultation, exchange, coordination, and mutual support at multilateral forums such as the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), the Francophone Parliamentary Union (APF), etc.; at the same time, the Friendship Parliamentary Groups of the two countries need to increase cooperation. The two legislative bodies can coordinate to monitor and promote the implementation of agreements between the two governments; promote increased cooperation between Vietnamese localities and Swiss states, including local elected bodies.

The National Assembly Chairman affirmed his commitment that the National Assembly and the Government of Vietnam will create the most favorable conditions for foreign enterprises, including Swiss enterprises, to invest in production and do long-term business in Vietnam.

President of the Swiss National Council Martin Candinas speaks. Photo: Doan Tan - VNA

President of the House of Representatives Martin Candinas said Switzerland welcomed Vietnam’s commitment at the COP26 Conference. He said both countries have the common goal of sustainable development. Therefore, Switzerland is always interested and ready to cooperate so that both sides can achieve this goal.

In its foreign policy, Switzerland always considers Vietnam as a strategic partner for economic cooperation in the region. This is also the reason why the Swiss high-ranking delegation chose Vietnam for this Asian tour.

Assessing Vietnam as having a dynamic and successful economy, and having done well in hunger eradication and poverty reduction in recent times, Mr. Martin Candinas said that through the conversation, representatives of Swiss businesses wish to continue investing, thereby promoting cooperation and economic development between the two countries. Switzerland wishes to increase investment, trade cooperation, and effective economic cooperation, contributing to Vietnam's goal of becoming a developed, high-income country by 2045.

There are currently about 100 Swiss companies in Vietnam, creating jobs for about 120,000 workers. Not only Swiss companies, this visit the Delegation is interested in cooperation with local Vietnamese companies - suppliers of Swiss companies.

Expressing his belief in the positive development of bilateral relations, President of the House of Representatives Martin Candinas emphasized that with many programs and projects in Vietnam over the past 30 years, Switzerland will continue to strengthen this cooperation in the coming time.

According to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Switzerland focuses on improving the competitiveness of enterprises and improving labor productivity. During the official visit to Vietnam, the delegation visited a garment company to learn about productivity and working conditions of workers. With the agreement on improving working conditions signed by the two countries, Mr. Martin Candinas expressed his belief that Swiss programs and cooperation will contribute to increasing labor productivity and improving working conditions for workers.

National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue and President of the Swiss National Council Martin Candinas with delegates from the two countries. (Source: VNA)

Discussing a number of international and regional issues of mutual concern, including the East Sea issue, National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue and House of Representatives Chairman Martin Candinas affirmed the importance of respecting international law, maintaining peace, stability, ensuring security, safety and freedom of navigation and aviation; all disputes must be resolved by peaceful means on the basis of international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

Speaker of the House of Representatives Martin Candinas respectfully invited National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue to pay an official visit to Switzerland soon. The National Assembly Chairman happily accepted the invitation.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/viet-nam-luon-coi-trong-quan-he-huu-nghi-va-hop-tac-truyen-thong-voi-thuy-sy-232658.html