Vietnam has always valued its traditional friendship and cooperation with Switzerland.

National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue expressed his wish for Vietnam and Switzerland to continue cooperating and sharing experiences in the legislative field to create development institutions that meet 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, President of the National Council (Lower House) Martin Candinas and a high-level Swiss delegation paid an official visit to Vietnam from June 27-30.

On the morning of June 28th, a solemn welcoming ceremony for Speaker of the House Martin Candinas and his delegation took place at the National Assembly building, presided over by National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue. Following 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 appreciation for Vietnam in general, as well as for the cooperative relationship between the two legislative bodies in particular.

Speaker of the House of Representatives Martin Candinas expressed his sincere gratitude for the warm welcome from the Vietnamese National Assembly and its Chairman, Vuong Dinh Hue; and emphasized that Switzerland was one of the first Western European countries to recognize and establish diplomatic relations with Vietnam in 1971. Over the 52 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations, the two countries have developed well, cooperating closely not only in bilateral relations but also in multilateral forums.

The scene at the talks. (Photo: Doan Tan/VNA)

During the talks, the Speaker of the National Assembly and the Speaker of the House of Representatives of Switzerland briefed each other on the economic and social situation, as well as the structure and functions of their respective legislative bodies.

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

Vietnam is focusing on two goals: to become a developing country with modern industry and a high-middle income by 2030; and to become a developed country with a high income by 2045. This is the economic basis for Vietnam's commitment to Net Zero by 2050 at the COP26 conference.

The Speaker of the National Assembly affirmed that Vietnam always values ​​its traditional friendship and cooperation with Switzerland, and thanked Switzerland for providing Vietnam with over 600 million USD (ODA) during the period 1991-2021, as well as for supporting Vietnam in the prevention and control of the Covid-19 pandemic.

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

National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue delivers a speech. (Photo: Doan Tan/VNA)

National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue and Speaker of the House of Representatives Martin Candinas agreed that bilateral trade turnover in 2022, reaching approximately US$810 million (compared to approximately US$2.4 billion in 2021), and Swiss investment in Vietnam, reaching nearly US$2 billion, is not commensurate with the potential of each country. Both sides agreed to expedite negotiations and the signing of a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between Vietnam and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), comprising Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein.

Expressing his hope that the negotiations and signing of this Agreement would be completed soon, 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 his views with the Speaker of the National Assembly, Mr. Martin Candinas stated that Switzerland is very interested in promoting investment, trade, technology, and knowledge, and therefore hopes that the EFTA Agreement will be signed soon in 2024. He emphasized that trade and investment are like "flowing water," which will flow faster when there are no obstacles. When the economy develops, purchasing power increases, leading to higher 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; he also 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 Speaker of the National Assembly expressed gratitude and requested that the Swiss Parliament and Government continue to create favorable conditions for the Vietnamese community in Switzerland to settle down, integrate into the local society, and contribute to promoting friendly relations between the two countries.

Regarding parliamentary cooperation, National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue expressed his desire for both sides to continue exchanging high-level delegations and delegations at all levels, including committee and parliamentarian levels. Both sides should continue to cooperate and share experiences in the legislative field to create development institutions that meet current global demands, such as issues of just energy transition, digital transformation, and adaptation to climate change…

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

The Speaker of the National Assembly affirmed the commitment of the National Assembly and the Vietnamese Government to create the most favorable conditions for foreign businesses, including Swiss businesses, to invest in long-term production and business in Vietnam.

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

Speaker of the Swiss House of Representatives Martin Candinas said that Switzerland welcomes Vietnam's commitment at the COP26 conference. He noted that both countries share the common goal of sustainable development. Therefore, Switzerland is always interested in and ready to cooperate to achieve this goal together.

In its foreign policy, Switzerland has always considered Vietnam a strategic economic partner in the region. This is also the reason why the high-level Swiss delegation chose Vietnam for this trip to Asia.

Assessing Vietnam as having a dynamic and successful economy, and having done well in poverty reduction in recent years, Mr. Martin Candinas stated that, through the discussions, Swiss business representatives expressed their desire to continue investing, thereby promoting cooperation and economic development between the two countries. Switzerland hopes to strengthen investment, trade cooperation, and effective economic cooperation, contributing to Vietnam achieving its goal of becoming a developed, high-income country by 2045.

Currently, there are approximately 100 Swiss businesses in Vietnam, providing employment for around 120,000 workers. Beyond Swiss businesses, the delegation is also interested in cooperating with local Vietnamese companies – suppliers to Swiss businesses.

Expressing confidence in the positive development of bilateral relations, Speaker of the House of Representatives Martin Candinas emphasized that, with numerous programs and projects in Vietnam over the past 30 years, Switzerland will continue to strengthen this cooperation in the future.

According to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Switzerland focuses on enhancing the competitiveness of businesses and improving labor productivity. During their official visit to Vietnam, the delegation visited a garment factory to learn about productivity and working conditions for workers. With the agreement on improving working conditions already signed by the two countries, Mr. Martin Candinas expressed his confidence 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 both countries. (Source: VNA)

Discussing a number of international and regional issues of common concern, including the East Sea issue, National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue and House Speaker Martin Candinas affirmed the importance of respecting international law, maintaining peace and stability, ensuring security, safety and freedom of navigation and overflight; all disputes should be resolved peacefully 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 cordially 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