On October 17, Vietnamese Prime Minister Le Minh Hung met Swiss President Guy Parmelin at the Government Office during the Swiss president's official visit to Vietnam. The meeting took place as the two countries mark 55 years of diplomatic relations.
Le Minh Hung said Vietnam values Switzerland's support and wants to strengthen political trust, high-level contacts, and cooperation in the economy, science, technology and innovation.
The prime minister said the visit opens a new stage in bilateral relations, including after the signing of the Vietnam-EFTA Free Trade Agreement (VEFTA). He proposed working to bring the agreement into force soon and aiming to double bilateral trade. Vietnam also wants Swiss companies and investment funds to expand investment in banking and finance, manufacturing, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals and innovation.
Le Minh Hung asked Switzerland to share its experience and support the development of an international financial center in Vietnam. The two sides also discussed green finance, investment funds, asset management, tokenized assets, carbon credits, international bonds and financial technology.
Guy Parmelin thanked Vietnam for the welcome and said Switzerland considers its relationship with Vietnam important. He said the participation of Swiss businesses and scientists in the delegation reflected strong interest in cooperation between the two countries.
The Swiss president said Switzerland was ready to share its experience in insurance, reinsurance, manufacturing, precision machinery and high technology. He proposed connecting Switzerland's Crypto Valley with Vietnam's innovation ecosystem and developing cooperation in blockchain, artificial intelligence and quantum technology. Parmelin also highlighted vocational training and said Switzerland was ready to make it easier for Vietnamese citizens to obtain visas.
The two sides agreed to continue developing the Vietnam-Switzerland comprehensive partnership, use the opportunities created by VEFTA, strengthen business links and expand investment cooperation, including in port infrastructure. They also agreed to support the multilateral trading system, diversify markets and improve resilience to global economic fluctuations.
Education, training, science, technology and innovation are to become cooperation priorities. Vietnam and Switzerland plan to connect innovation centers, research institutions, universities and businesses, while expanding work in AI, quantum technology, green energy, the digital economy, higher education and vocational training.
In response to shared climate challenges, the two sides agreed to expand cooperation on emissions reduction, the green transition, agricultural research, water management and reuse, sustainable agriculture, insurance and reinsurance.
Vietnam and Switzerland also plan to develop cooperation in culture, tourism, labor and people-to-people exchanges, and to support each other in multilateral forums.
Sources: Thanh Niên
