Vietnam and Switzerland agreed in principle to elevate their bilateral relations to a Comprehensive Partnership framework, reflecting current cooperation priorities.
On the occasion of attending the 55th Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, on January 21, 2025, Prime Minister of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam Pham Minh Chinh had talks with President of the Swiss Confederation Karin Keller-Sutter.
The two leaders exchanged views on bilateral relations, the situation in each country and regional and international issues of mutual concern, emphasizing the importance of dialogue and cooperation in the spirit of friendship and mutual respect.
President Karin Keller-Sutter noted Vietnam's growing role as an important regional partner for Switzerland.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh stressed the importance of the friendship and multifaceted cooperation with Switzerland. The two sides agreed in principle to elevate bilateral relations to a Comprehensive Partnership framework, reflecting current cooperation priorities.
Sharing the awareness of the central role of economic cooperation in bilateral relations, the two leaders emphasized the potential for enhancing economic cooperation and exploiting new opportunities to effectively leverage the complementarity between the two economies.
The two sides agreed to increase efforts and take concrete steps to soon conclude negotiations on the Free Trade Agreement between Vietnam and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA).
President Karin Keller-Sutter said Switzerland continues to support Vietnam through the Development Cooperation Program 2025-2028 under the auspices of the Swiss Federal State Secretariat for Economic Affairs, pledging to support Vietnam's goal of becoming a sustainable and self-reliant high-income economy.
The two sides agreed to enhance dialogue and cooperation in areas of mutual interest such as innovation, green finance, intellectual property, and exchange of experience in building and developing an international financial center in Vietnam.
Recognizing the benefits of educational and cultural cooperation, the two sides agreed to continue to explore the potential for expanding joint academic cooperation initiatives, training programs and tourism cooperation. They also agreed to identify innovation, science and technology, and knowledge sharing as promising priority areas for further bilateral cooperation in the coming time.
The two sides affirmed that people-to-people exchanges and the Vietnamese and Swiss communities living in each country play an important role in promoting mutual understanding and building bridges between the two countries.
The two sides acknowledged opportunities to promote innovation, scientific and technological cooperation, including partnerships between research institutes and joint initiatives supporting scientific development, such as initiatives to fund joint scientific research activities through the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) and the Vietnam National Foundation for Science and Technology Development (NAFOSTED).
The two sides also exchanged views on enhancing efforts to address environmental challenges and promote climate resilience, in line with the Paris Agreement.
The two sides reaffirmed the importance of cooperation at multilateral forums and contributing to prosperity and stability in the region and the world, and strengthening efforts to address global challenges, including environmental protection, climate change response and water security.
The two sides expressed their support for multilateralism and a world order based on international law and the fundamental principles of the United Nations Charter. They reaffirmed the importance of maintaining peace, stability, security, safety and freedom of navigation and overflight in the East Sea and the settlement of disputes by peaceful means in accordance with international law, particularly the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS 1982).
The two sides believe in the future of Vietnam-Switzerland relations and are determined to cooperate more closely to promote the common interests of both countries./.
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