Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang called Liechtenstein Prime Minister Brigitte Haas’s official October 17–19 visit to Vietnam successful on every front. Haas visited at the invitation of her Vietnamese counterpart Le Minh Hung.
Hang said Liechtenstein has a small population and territory but a strong economy and advanced financial, scientific and technological sectors. Haas was the first Liechtenstein prime minister to visit Vietnam since the countries established diplomatic relations in 2008. The trip opened a new chapter after 18 years, strengthened political trust and supported the implementation of bilateral and multilateral agreements. It also reinforced Vietnam’s role as a gateway to ASEAN and Liechtenstein’s links with the European Free Trade Association (EFTA).
The visit demonstrated Vietnam’s foreign policy adopted at the 14th National Party Congress, Hang said. The policy stresses independence, self-reliance, strategic autonomy, diversification and multilateralisation of external relations. As Vietnam seeks to improve the quality of growth and make science, technology and innovation its main drivers, the trip opened new areas of cooperation where both sides have interests.
At meetings and talks, the two sides reaffirmed the importance of friendship and cooperation, as well as each other’s role and standing in their regions. Contacts and exchanges between the two governments’ leaders strengthened political trust and broadened bilateral ties. They also helped both sides better understand each other’s priorities and develop strategic areas including science and technology, innovation, the economy, trade, investment and finance.
During the visit, the two sides signed several cooperation documents, chiefly the Vietnam–EFTA Free Trade Agreement and an agreement between Vietnam and Liechtenstein to eliminate double taxation and prevent tax evasion and avoidance.
The agreements lay the groundwork for expanded trade between Vietnam and EFTA, which has four members including Liechtenstein. Once the free trade agreement takes effect, trade in goods and services and investment flows between Vietnam and EFTA states will have more room to grow, Hang said.
The tax agreement will give companies and investors in both countries a transparent and stable legal framework and help curb cross-border tax evasion. This should give firms more confidence to form partnerships and invest in each other’s markets, particularly in green finance, high technology, precision engineering, automation and medical equipment.
On the multilateral front, the two countries share a commitment to multilateralism, international law and cooperation for peace, stability and sustainable development.
They agreed to support each other at multilateral forums and international organisations, particularly the United Nations. They also exchanged views on shared concerns, including the peaceful settlement of disputes under international law and the UN Charter.
Hang said substantial untapped potential remains. She said the visit carried significant political weight and identified areas where the countries’ strengths and needs complement each other. Relations will rest on equality and mutual respect, benefit both peoples and contribute to peace, stability and development in their regions and beyond.
After the visit, the priority is timely and focused implementation of the agreements. Shared understandings, commitments and high-level agreements must become practical projects and programmes that show tangible progress soon, Hang said.
The immediate task, she said, is early ratification of the Vietnam–EFTA free trade agreement and the bilateral tax agreement. Ministries, agencies and local authorities need to coordinate closely on follow-up work.
Companies will need guidance on commitments, rules of origin and market standards. This must go together with efforts to raise product quality, workforce skills and management capacity. Small and medium-sized enterprises need particular support to find partners and enter supply chains so the gains from global integration spread more widely.
Bilaterally, Hang called for substantive cooperation across all fields and delivery on commitments made by high-ranking leaders. Regular delegation exchanges, dialogue and coordination through designated agencies should help turn high-level guidance into sustained action.
In her view, the two sides should identify projects that can take cooperation further. Partnering with Liechtenstein, which has strengths in knowledge, technology and governance, can provide resources, build corporate capacity and strengthen Vietnam’s economic autonomy. Feasible projects in advanced manufacturing and financial services would give Vietnam a chance to prepare thoroughly and deliver significant results for national development.
People should remain at the centre of cooperation. Hang called for more opportunities for students, scientists and workers to study and work together, more cultural exchange and tourism, and a larger role for the Vietnamese community in Liechtenstein in connecting the two countries. A joint research team solving a practical problem, or a young person gaining experience through a joint training course, can bring the nations closer and make ties stronger, she said.
In closing, Hang said she expects Haas’s visit to deepen and broaden ties and begin a more substantive, practical phase built on both countries’ potential. She said this is the shared aspiration of the peoples of the two countries and will contribute to peace and cooperation in their regions and the world.
Sources: VietnamPlus / Vietnam News Agency
