Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs: Switzerland is a partner and companion of Vietnam

On November 4, the Switzerland - Vietnam Economic Forum 2025 officially took place in Da Nang city.

Speaking at the forum, Deputy Foreign Minister Le Thi Thu Hang emphasized that this is a special event, demonstrating the spirit of close cooperation between the two countries, contributing to strengthening and expanding the bilateral relationship between Vietnam and Switzerland.

According to Deputy Minister Le Thi Thu Hang, the Switzerland-Vietnam Economic Forum was formed as a high-level annual dialogue platform between the Governments , localities and business communities of the two countries, aiming to promote economic cooperation, innovation and sustainable development.

The first session of the forum held in Zurich (Switzerland) in 2024 laid the foundation for identifying priority areas of cooperation such as green transformation, digital transformation, vocational training and clean energy.

“Organizing this year’s forum in Da Nang demonstrates the two sides’ shared determination to bring economic cooperation closer to reality, especially in Vietnam’s localities, contributing to promoting inclusive and sustainable growth,” said Ms. Hang.

Deputy Minister Le Thi Thu Hang said that for more than half a century, Switzerland has always accompanied Vietnam in the process of reconstruction, development and integration.

Deputy Minister Le Thi Thu Hang said that after 40 years of renovation, Vietnam has achieved great, comprehensive and historic achievements. Vietnam has established diplomatic relations with 194 countries and has comprehensive strategic partnerships, strategic partnerships and comprehensive partnerships with 40 countries.

Switzerland is one of the first Western countries to establish diplomatic relations with Vietnam. For more than half a century, Switzerland has always accompanied Vietnam in the process of reconstruction, development and integration.

Bilateral relations have developed positively and effectively in many fields. Currently, Switzerland is an important trade partner of Vietnam in Central Europe and the sixth largest European investor in Vietnam. Switzerland has also supported Vietnam with more than 800 million USD in non-refundable aid over the past 30 years, focusing on vocational training, private economic sector development, and climate change response...

According to the Deputy Minister, at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos in January 2025, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Swiss President Karin Keller-Sutter had a successful meeting, announcing the upgrading of the two countries' relationship to a comprehensive partnership.

"These results clearly demonstrate the trust, substance and effectiveness of the relationship between the two countries, creating new momentum for cooperation between localities. Switzerland is not only an economic partner, but also a long-term companion, contributing to helping Vietnam realize the goal of green development, innovation and people-centeredness," Ms. Hang affirmed.

Deputy Minister Le Thi Thu Hang added that in the context of globalization, economic diplomacy is considered a key driving force to connect businesses, promote trade, investment and cultural exchange. For Vietnam and Switzerland, this is a tool to help transform potential into opportunities for substantive cooperation.

"With the upcoming free trade agreement between Vietnam and the EFTA bloc, businesses of the two countries will have more favorable access to each other's large markets.

With a shared vision of green development, innovation and people-centeredness, economic diplomacy is the 'golden key' for the two countries to promote comprehensive cooperation in trade, investment, science, technology, culture and people-to-people exchange," Deputy Minister Le Thi Thu Hang emphasized.

Source: https://vietnamnet.vn/thu-truong-bo-ngoai-giao-thuy-si-la-doi-tac-nguoi-ban-dong-hanh-cua-viet-nam-2459208.html