Hanoi (VNA) – Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinhsuggested Vietnam and Switzerland enhance all-level exchanges and meetings, creatingmomentum for the expansion of cooperation across spheres while receiving newly-appointed SwissAmbassador Thomas Gass in Hanoi on April 13.

Vietnam always attaches importance to its friendshipand cooperation with Switzerland, the PM said, noting his belief that theambassador will continue actively contributing to the bilateral ties during histenure.

He emphasised that the Vietnam-Switzerlandrelationship is developing intensively and extensively in all fields,particularly politics-diplomacy, trade-investment and development cooperation.

Switzerland is Vietnam’s important economic partner in Europe,with two-way trade and Swiss investment in the Southeast Asian nation growing significantly,the leader said, suggesting Switzerland create optimal conditions for itsenterprises to run long-term, high-quality business in Vietnam, focusing on theareas of Switzerland’s strengths and Vietnam’s priorities like digital transformation,green transition, circular economy, climate change response, high-tech agriculture,banking-finance, and health care.

The two sides should work to push ahead withnegotiations on a free trade agreement between Vietnam and the European FreeTrade Association (EFTA) in order to boost their investment and trade ties inthe time ahead, PM Chinh said.

The PM also suggested the two countries expandcollaboration in science-technology, education-training, and people-to-peopleexchanges, thus helping Vietnam raise its workforce quality, and contributing toenhancing mutual understanding.

PM Chinh used this occasion to thank the Swiss governmentand people for their donation of medical supplies to Vietnam during the COVID-19pandemic, and called on the Swiss government to create more favourable conditions forVietnamese nationals to live and work in the country.

Gass, for his part, affirmed that Switzerland always attachesimportance to its friendship and cooperation with Vietnam, and expressed his impression on socio-economic achievements the Southeast Asian nation has recorded duringthe realisation of sustainable development goals, as well as the country’s roleand position in the region and the world at large, and its strong commitmentsto climate change response and net zero emissions by 2050.

The ambassador promised to make efforts to contributeto strengthening the bilateral ties more practically and effectively, stressingSwitzerland stands ready to accompany and cooperate with Vietnam in the fields of manufacturing, high tech, sustainable agriculture, and climate change response.

Vietnam is an increasingly important partner ofSwitzerland, and ample room remains for the two sides to boost theircooperation, the diplomat said, stressing that Switzerland wishes toaccelerate negotiations on the free trade agreement between Vietnam and the EFTA.

He also suggested the two countries fostercollaboration in science-technology, education-training, tourism and exchangebetween their citizens.

For multilateral cooperation, PM Chinh said the twocountries should continue cooperation and mutual support at multilateralforums and international organisations, especially the United Nations.

He also called for Switzerland’s support for thestance and efforts of ASEAN and Vietnam in maintaining peace and stability,ensuring freedom, security and safety of navigation and aviation in the EastSea, and settling disputes by peaceful measures, on the basis of internationallaw, including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS)./.