Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Swiss President Karin Keller-Sutter agreed to elevate the relationship between Vietnam and Switzerland to a comprehensive partnership during their official talks in Switzerland on Tuesday. 

The two leaders held their talks as part of PM Chinh’s bilateral engagements during his visit to Switzerland for the 55th Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos. 

Vietnam’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday noon (Hanoi time) released a nine-point statement highlighting this significant milestone, marking an achievement after nearly 55 years of diplomatic relations between the two nations.

Both leaders pledged to work closely to define and implement the key aspects of this enhanced relationship.

President Keller-Sutter acknowledged Vietnam's growing role as a vital regional partner for Switzerland.

She reaffirmed Switzerland’s commitment to supporting Vietnam through the 2025-28 Development Cooperation Program, aimed at helping Vietnam achieve its goals of becoming a sustainable, resilient, and high-income economy, said the statement.

The two sides agreed to enhance dialogue and cooperation in areas of mutual interest, such as innovation, green finance, intellectual property, and sharing experiences in building and developing international financial centers in Vietnam.

Recognizing the benefits of educational and cultural cooperation, the two leaders agreed to continue exploring the potential for expanding joint academic cooperation initiatives, training programs, and tourism collaboration. 

In terms of trade, both parties expressed their commitment to concluding negotiations for a free trade agreement between Vietnam and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), of which Switzerland is a member.

Both leaders reaffirmed the importance of maintaining peace, stability, security, safety, and freedom of navigation and aviation in the East Vietnam Sea.

They emphasized the need to resolve disputes peacefully, based on international law, particularly the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). 

The two leaders also shared the importance of cooperation in multilateral forums, strengthening efforts to address global challenges, including environmental protection, climate change response, and water security.

During the talks, the leaders witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation between the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs.

Switzerland was the final stop on PM Chinh’s European tour scheduled from January 15 to 23.

Vietnam and Switzerland established diplomatic relations in 1971. Over more than half a century, their bilateral ties have expanded significantly across politics, diplomacy, trade, investment, culture, education, and training. 

Trade and investment cooperation has been the cornerstone of their relations, with ample room for further growth.

Switzerland is one of Vietnam’s key trading partners in Europe, while Vietnam ranks as Switzerland’s fourth-largest trading partner in ASEAN. 

Bilateral trade has grown steadily, reaching a record US$2.2 billion in 2019 before the COVID-19 pandemic.

Last year, bilateral trade was reported at $811.3 million, with Vietnam exporting $183.7 million and importing $627.6 million, according to official figures. 

Switzerland is currently the sixth-largest European investor in Vietnam, with 220 active projects and total registered capital exceeding $2.1 billion.

The Vietnamese community in Switzerland consists of approximately 10,000 individuals residing across 26 cantons, the Vietnam News Agency reported.

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