Bern (VNA) – Vietnamese President Nguyen Xuan Phucon November 26 met President of the Swiss National Council Andreas Aebi aspart of his  official visit to Switzerland.

President Phuc said Vietnam always attaches importance toconsolidating and enhancing the traditional friendship and cooperation withSwitzerland, which has been nurtured by people of the two countries over thepast 50 years.

On behalf of the Vietnamese State and people, hethanked Switzerland for its official development assistance (ODA) and support toVietnam in socio-economic development, helping the Southeast Asian country to achievemany millennium development goals (MDGs) ahead of schedule.

President Phuc highlighted Switzerland’s donation of medialsupplies to aid Vietnam in the COVID-19 combat in August.

For his part, Aebi affirmed that Vietnam is animportant partner of Switzerland in Southeast Asia and Asia-Pacific at large,expressing his hope that President Phuc’s visit will create momentum to boost thebilateral ties in all spheres in the time ahead.

The two leaders noted with pleasure the positivedevelopment of the Vietnam-Switzerland relationship, both bilaterally and multilaterally,and via the State and parliamentary channels.

They consented to take specific and strong measures to further step up cooperative ties,especially in economy, trade, investment, and innovation, to be on par with the potential and strength of the two countries, andtackle the pandemic's impacts.

Informing Aebi about his earlier talks with President GuyParmelin, the Vietnamese leader called on the Swiss NationalCouncil to back joint efforts in enhancing and expanding collaboration inpolitics, economy, development cooperation, science-technology, andeducation-training, particularly the early signing of a free trade agreement betweenVietnam and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) that comprisesSwitzerland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Iceland, and the establishment of apriority partnership in innovation between Vietnam and Switzerland.

President Phuc used this occasion to thank the Swiss NationalCouncil for its support for the bilateral ties, particularly for Vietnam’sdevelopment assistance.

Aebi expressed his wish for stronger cooperationbetween the parliaments of the two countries and his support for strengthened economic ties,notably the early signing of the FTA between Vietnam and the EFTA.

Switzerland stands ready to partner with Vietnam ininnovation, he said.

Aebi lauded contributions of the Vietnamese community inSwitzerland to socio-economic development as well as cultural diversity of thehost country.

President Phuc proposed the Swiss National Council continue support and create favourable conditions for the Vietnamese community in Switzerland to work as a bridge to further promote bilateral relations.

At the meeting, President Phuc also conveyed National AssemblyChairman Vuong Dinh Hue’s greetings and invitation to Aebi to visit Vietnam./.