Switzerland considers Vietnam a key economic partner in Southeast Asia
VOV.VN - Vietnam is Switzerland’s leading important economic partner in Southeast Asia, Swiss President Viola Amherd told Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh during their meeting in Davos, Switzerland, on January 17.
Amherd highly appreciated Vietnam’s outstanding socio-economic development achievements in recent years, and affirmed that Switzerland will continue providing development aid to Vietnam.
Switzerland is ready to share its experience in sustainable development, education, business, and innovation with Vietnam, she assured her guest, adding that more than Swiss funded projects are being implemented in Vietnam.
PM Pham Minh Chinh for his part said efficient cooperation between the two countries will lay a firm foundation for the two sides to elevate their relations to new heights in the coming time.
He proposed that the two sides maintain high-level reciprocal visits to review cooperation results and outline orientations for future cooperation.
The PM thanked the Swiss Government for providing Vietnam with official development assistance, helping the country record outstanding socio-economic achievements.
He said he hopes more Swiss businesses will come to Vietnam, and the two countries will enhance cooperation in science-technology, and innovation as well as security and defense.
The two leaders agreed to have a flexible approach to negotiations of a free trade agreement between Vietnam and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) and a bilateral investment protection agreement to ensure the interests of businesses and investors of the two sides.
Both host and guest affirmed that Vietnam and Switzerland should continue to coordinate closely at regional and international forums.
With regard to the East Sea issue, they stressed the importance of ensuring freedom of navigation and aviation in compliance with international law, and resolving disputes by peaceful means on the basis of international law, especially the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS 1982).
On this occasion, PM Chinh asked the Swiss Government to create more favourable conditions for the Vietnamese community in Switzerland to integrate well into their host country, contribute positively to the development of Switzerland, as well as to friendly relations and cooperation between the two countries.
