Switzerland hopes for effective cooperation with Vietnam via parliamentary channel
President of the Swiss National Council Maja Riniker stressed that maintaining regular meetings between the two parliaments is crucial to strengthening bilateral ties.
NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man (right) meets with President of the Swiss National Council Maja Riniker in Geneva on July 29. (Photo: VNA)
Geneva (VNA) – Switzerland always wishes to strengthen effective cooperation with Vietnam through the parliamentary channel, President of the Swiss National Council Maja Riniker stated at a meeting with Chairman of the Vietnamese National Assembly (NA) Tran Thanh Man in Geneva on July 29.
The top legislator of Vietnam is in Switzerland to attend the 6th World Conference of Speakers of Parliament and conduct bilateral activities.
Expressing his delight at the strong progress of bilateral ties, including the upgrade of their relationship to a comprehensive partnership in January this year, Chairman Man noted that during his trip, Vietnam has held a roundtable on international financial centre development to learn from Switzerland’s experience in this area.
To further deepen the partnership, he proposed the two sides increase exchanges of high-level and all-level delegations, particularly between specialised committees, parliamentary friendship groups, young parliamentarians, and women lawmakers. He also called for closer cooperation in legislation, especially in the fields of finance, banking, international financial centres, digital banking, digital assets, blockchain, and fintech.
The NA leader urged both countries to soon negotiate and sign a Vietnam – Switzerland investment protection agreement and a bilateral tax treaty, and to resume talks on a free trade agreement between Vietnam and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA – comprising Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein) within 2025.
The meeting between NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man and President of the Swiss National Council Maja Riniker in Geneva on July 29. (Photo: VNA)
He suggested enhancing consultation at multilateral and regional parliamentary forums such as the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and the Parliamentary Assembly of the Francophonie (APF).
Chairman Man invited his host to visit Vietnam in 2026 on the occasion of the 55th founding anniversary of the two countries' diplomatic ties, and the host also extended an invitation to him to visit Switzerland again in the same year.
On this occasion, the NA Chairman also thanked the Swiss authorities for supporting the Vietnamese expat community to deeply integrate into the local society, thereby making positive contributions to the host nation’s socio-economic development and the bilateral partnership.
Praising the achievements in Vietnam – Switzerland relations and congratulating Vietnam on its significant attainments and stature in the world, Riniker voiced her hope that the two countries will soon conclude a Vietnam – EFTA free trade agreement.
She stressed that maintaining regular meetings between the two parliaments is crucial to strengthening bilateral ties.
Riniker noted in a global context where democratic dialogue through the parliamentary channel remains limited, this world conference offers a valuable opportunity for parliaments to meet and seek solutions to global common challenges.
She affirmed that both Switzerl🍌and and Vietnam share a strong desire to add𒈔ress international issues through peaceful dialogue./.
National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man, his spouse, and a high-level Vietnamese delegation are in Geneva, Switzerland to attend the 6th World Conference of Speakers of Parliament and carry out bilateral activities from July 27 to 30, 2025. This marks Chairman Man’s first official visit to Switzerland, aiming to reinforce political trust and deepen the Vietnam–Switzerland Comprehensive Partnership while promoting cooperation across various sectors.
Vietnam deeply values the contributions of the Switzerland–Vietnam Friendship Association, not only in terms of spiritual support but also through its efforts in mobilising donations for charitable and humanitarian activities, and supporting the poor.
Since the start of Vietnam-Switzerland diplomatic relations in 1971, bilateral ties have grown stronger and stronger, with development and economic cooperation serving as the primary engine.
State President Luong Cuong’s trip once again reaffirmed the Party and State’s foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, diversification and multilateralisation of relations. It also reflected the strong trend of enhanced cooperation among countries of the Global South in shaping a new, more multipolar, fair and equitable world order.
The outcomes of Party General Secretary To Lam's visit will serve as a driving force and source of inspiration for the two countries to inherit, promote, and elevate their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, contributing to the national construction and development cause in each country, and to peace, cooperation, and development in the region and the world.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on August 9 inspected the construction site of the new Phong Chau bridge, and surveyed a planned route for the Lao Cai – Hanoi – Hai Phong railway section running through the northern province of Phu Tho.
Across print, broadcast, and online platforms, Angolan media portrayed State President Luong Cuong's visit as a warm and historic occasion, strengthening bilateral ties and boosting Vietnam’s presence in Africa through the AU.
The 500kV Lao Cai – Vinh Yen power transmission line has a total investment of over 7.41 trillion VND (282.5 million USD), and a total length of 229.5 km, passing through 31 communes in the two provinces, and comprising 468 transmission tower foundations.
The visits reflected the elevated position of Vietnam’s foreign policy in the new era—aimed at not only advancing ties with key regional partners like Egypt and Angola but also delivering a strategic message about Vietnam’s commitment to deepening relations with African nations as a whole.
At their talks and meetings, President Cuong and Angola’s top leaders affirmed that the close brotherhood and traditional friendship are a valuable shared asset and a solid foundation for the two nations to advance into a new phase of development.
The ruling People’s Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) attaches great importance to the friendship, solidarity, and comradeship with the Communist Party of Vietnam, and voiced her Party’s wish to further deepen and expand relations between the two sides for the benefit of the Vietnamese and Angolan people.
Vietnam pledges to do its utmost to build an ASEAN of solidarity, consensus, and unity in diversity, and to foster a fast and sustainable development path for ASEAN, grounded in science, technology, and innovation, said Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh.
Party General Secretary To Lam called on the criminal police force to accelerate the application of science, technology, artificial intelligence, and digital transformation in criminal investigation tasks such as crime prevention, detection, tracking and verification, ensuring that no area remains out of their reach.
Many Koreans living, studying, and working in Hanoi see the upcoming state visit to the Republic of Korea (RoK) by Party General Secretary To Lam as an opportunity to generate strong synergy in economic cooperation, people-to-people exchanges, and cultural understanding.
The achievements of the five decades of Vietnam–Angola cooperation provide a strong and enduring foundation, as well as momentum for the two sides to consolidate, expand, and bring their partnership into a new phase of development.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh stressed that the emulation and commendation work is a vital driver, fostering patriotism, dedication, and collective momentum in the run-up to the 11th National Patriotic Emulation Congress, Party congresses at all levels, and the 14th National Party Congress.
Emphasising the need for sustainable, long-term collaboration, National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man called on Japanese investors not only to bring in capital but also to share expertise and modern technology, especially in areas such as green transformation, the circular economy, and advanced corporate governance.
President Luong Cuong's activities during his state visit to Angola, the celebration of the financial sector's 80th traditional day, and the Foreign Ministry's flag-hoisting ceremony marking the 58th founding anniversary of ASEAN are among news highlights on August 8.
Vietnamese Ambassador to Thailand Pham Viet Hung praised the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ meaningful initiative, noting that the ASEAN Family Run was not only a sporting activity but also an opportunity for diplomats and their families to show unity, connection, and solidarity within the ASEAN family.
Politburo member, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on August 8 attended the first congress of the Party Organisation of Tay Ho ward of Hanoi for the 2025–2030 term, during which he called for fresh momentum to turn the ward into a model that takes the lead in all fields.
The size of the economy increased from over 5 billion USD in 1986 to over 476 billion USD by 2024, making Vietnam the fourth-largest economy in Southeast Asia and the 34th largest in the world.
The ASEAN flag-hoisting ceremony is observed by the 10 ASEAN member countries on August 8 every year, aiming to spread and promote the ASEAN identity and affirm the determination to unite and cooperate for the common aspiration of long-term peace and prosperity of Southeast Asian countries under the common roof of the ASEAN Community.
Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Nguyen Manh Cuong highlighted ASEAN’s nearly six decades of development, during which the region transformed from division to harmony, from confrontation to cooperation, and from poverty to dynamic growth, becoming a global bright spot for regional cooperation.
