Vietnam, Switzerland exchange legislative experience to fine-tune institutions

National Assembly (NA) Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue held talks with President of the National Council of Switzerland Martin Candinas following a welcome ceremony for the Swiss leader in Hanoi June 28.

During the talks, the Vietnamese NA leader stated that Vietnam always places importance on its traditional friendship and cooperation with Switzerland and expressed his gratitude for the European nation's provision of more than US$ 600 million in official development assistance (ODA) for Vietnam from 1991 to 2021 as well as for assisting the Southeast Asian country in the fight against COVID-19.

Hue asked the two sides continue to step up cooperation and exchange delegations through all channels and further boost closer coordination at multilateral forums, thus contributing to peace, stability, and development in the region and the world.

Concerning the two-way trade turnover of roughly US$810 million last year and Swiss investment in Vietnam worth nearly US$2 billion, the two leaders said the figures are still below their full potential. They consented to speed up the negotiation process and signing of a free trade agreement (FTA) between Vietnam and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), which consists of Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein.

Candinas said his nation has paid special attention to promoting investment, trade, technology, and knowledge, therefore it hopes that the FTA could be signed next year.

There are still plenty of opportunities for broader cooperation between the two countries in the fields of science, technology, education, and climate change adaptation.

He suggested Switzerland increase the number of scholarships for Vietnam, ramp up cooperation between Vietnamese and Swiss educational institutions, and implement joint training programmes in pharmaceuticals, precision mechanical engineering, tourism, finance, banking, and insurance.

The top Vietnamese legislator proposed the parliament and government of Switzerland continue to create optimal conditions for the Vietnamese community in the country to settle down and well integrate into the host society as a contribution to enhancing the friendship between the two nations.

Concerning parliamentary cooperation, Hue voiced his hope that the two sides will continue to maintain the exchange of delegations at high and all levels, including among parliament committees and parliamentarians.

The Vietnamese top legislator stated that the two sides can increase consultations and coordination as well as mutual support at multilateral forums such as the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and the Parliamentary Assembly of La Francophonie (APF), while promoting the cooperation among the two Friendship Parliamentarians Groups.

Both nations’ legislative bodies should work together in supervising and speeding up the implementation of agreements between the two governments, he said, adding that Vietnamese and Swiss localities should enhance their connectivity, including collaboration among elected agencies at the local level.

Hue pledged that the NA and Government of Vietnam will create the best possible conditions for foreign investors, including those from Switzerland, to do long-term business and production activities in Vietnam.

Candinas, in turn, said Switzerland welcomes Vietnam's commitment at the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26), saying that both countries have a common goal of sustainable development, therefore, the European nation is ready to cooperate for the two sides to achieve this goal.

In its foreign policy, Switzerland always regards Vietnam as a strategic economic cooperation partner in the region, he said, adding that this is also the reason why the high-ranking Swiss delegation decided to visit Vietnam.

The Swiss official also highlighted Vietnam has a dynamic and successful economy that has performed well in hunger eradication and poverty reduction in recent years, the President of the National Council of Switzerland said that through talks, the Swiss business representatives wish to continue to pour investment, thereby promoting cooperation and economic development between the two countries.

He went on to say that Switzerland wants to increase investment, trade cooperation and effective economic cooperation, helping to realize Vietnam's goal of becoming a developed and high-income country by 2045. There are currently about 100 Swiss enterprises in the Southeast Asian country that create jobs for about 120,000 local workers.

Expressing his confidence in the fruitful development of the bilateral relations and with many projects and programmes of Switzerland in Vietnam over the past 30 years, Candinas emphasised that Switzerland will continue to bolster cooperation between the two nations in the time ahead.

According to the Swiss leader, the European country has focused on improving the competitiveness of businesses and labour productivity.

During the official visit to Vietnam, the Swiss delegation is scheduled to visit a garment company to learn about the productivity and working conditions of local workers.

With the signing of an agreement on improving working conditions by the two countries, Candinas expressed his belief that Swiss programmes and cooperation will contribute to improving labour productivity and improving working conditions for workers.

The two leaders also compared notes on a number of international and regional issues of shared concern, including the East Sea issue. They affirmed the importance of respecting international law, maintaining peace and stability, and ensuring security and safety, freedom of navigation and aviation. All disputes should be resolved by peaceful measures on the basis of international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), they emphasized.

On the occasion, Candinas invited Hue to pay an official visit to Switzerland soon and his invitation was graciously accepted.