The Swiss Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City held a ceremony on July 7 to celebrate 45 years of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Switzerland (October 11, 1971).
Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Le Thanh Liem (first, L) and Swiss Consul General Othmar Hardegger (first, R) cut the cake to celebrate Vietnam - Switzerland diplomatic ties (Photo: VNA)
HCM City (VNA) – The Swiss Consulate G🎃eneral in Ho Chi Minh City held a ceremony on July 7 to celebrate 45 years of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Switzerland (October 1✱1, 1971).
Swiss Consul General Othmar Hardegger said the bilateral cooperation has developed strongly and effectively in various fields; however, the outcomes have yet been on par with their potential.
Switzerland hopes to soon conclude the free trade agreement between the European Union and Vietnam , he said, adding that this will be a significant sign to create a boost for the bilateral economic links.
The European country is willing to further support Vietnam in the fields of its strengths, he pledged.
He noted that the debut of the Swiss Consulate General in HCM City in 2015 marks an important milestone in the two nation’s rapport as it helps promote bilateral collaboration in numerous realms such as trade, investment, tourism, and cultural exchange.
He vowed to do his utmost to deepen the two countries’ relations for the sake of their peoples.
Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Le Thanh Liem said Switzerland is one of Vietnam’s top partners in Europe and among the 15 biggest investors in HCM City.
The upcoming signing of the EU-Vietnam free trade agreement will set a firm foundation for Vietnam and Switzerland to carry out economic cooperation activities, he added.
With open policies, the southern economic hub welcomes Swiss businesses and vows to carry out joint projects to deepen bilateral relations.
Two-way trade hit 1.53 billion USD in 2015. Switzerland is running more than 100 projects in Vietnam with the total investment capital of over 2 billion USD, being the fourth largest European investor in Vietnam.
Both countries have also enhance affiliation in other fields such as education, tourism and culture.-VNA
Swiss President Johann Schneider Ammann and Vietnamese Vice President Dang Thi Ngoc Thinh affirmed the importance of ratchet up bilateral cooperation during their meeting in Bern on June 14.
The State Committee for Overseas Vietnamese Affairs (SCOVA) has served as a bridge connecting and uniting the community with the homeland, becoming a trusted source of support for Vietnamese expats in times of hardship.
The programme to eliminate temporary and dilapidated houses has achieved notable results, with nearly 263,000 housing units addressed to date, including 225,000 houses inaugurated and 38,000 under construction. Thirty-eight provinces and cities across the nation have already fulfilled their targets.
Stronger efforts and determination are required to achieve and surpass the set targets, especially in the eradication of makeshift and dilapidated houses nationwide, the acceleration of public investment disbursement, and the implementation of nationally important transport projects, PM Pham Minh Chinh noted.
The trip will be made at the invitations of Chinese Premier Li Qiang and WEF President and CEO Børge Brende, according to an announcement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Long spoke highly of the dynamic, positive, and comprehensive development of Vietnam – Russia relations in recent years. He affirmed that the Vietnamese Party and State place great importance on further strengthening the comprehensive strategic partnership with Russia in a substantive and effective manner, in line with the development needs of both nations.
At the conference, participants reported that the Government has so far issued 28 decrees on the delegation of responsibilities and powers between the central Government and two-tier local administrations. Several localities have already piloted the new governance model.
Reality is the ultimate benchmark for success, he said, urging drafting agencies to work out policies that foster development, reduce bureaucratic hurdles, and respect practical conditions.
Under the official dispatch signed on June 20, ministers, heads of ministerial-level agencies, and chairpersons of provincial and municipal People’s Committees are requested to concentrate efforts on implementing core measures to ensure the smooth operations of the new administrative framework.
The Party chief underscored the need for the press to innovate relentlessly, evolve to keep pace with the country's development, transform into a truly professional, humanistic, and modern sector that serves the cause of the Party, the State, and the people on the path to national construction and development.
The UN Secretary-General praised Vietnam’s remarkable achievements in socio-economic development and international integration in recent years, noting that the country has emerged as a model in implementing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), promoting international peace and security, and engaging in key UN processes.
Nghia affirmed that this is a milestone of special significance, affirming and honouring the the Vietnamese revolutionary press’s glorious tradition of 100 years of serving the revolutionary cause of the Party, serving the Fatherland, and serving the people.
The Party and State of Vietnam always attach great importance to and give top priority to the development of Vietnam–China relations. Vietnam is ready to work with the Chinese Party and State to further deepen the Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership and promote the building of the Vietnam-China community with a shared future that carries strategic significance.
Under the leadership of President Ho Chi Minh and the CPV, President Cuong said, the press has been a steadfast force on the ideological and cultural front, rallying the masses to pursue national aspirations.
NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man stressed the need to accelerate the application of artificial intelligence and smart teaching equipment, innovate teaching and assessment methods, and further improve the quality of formal education.
He also pledged that the NA will promote its ongoing supervision, making sure that every promise must lead to results, and every commitment must bring about real changes.
Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien welcomed the proposals put forward by the US side and reiterated Vietnam’s request for consideration of key areas of interest, including reciprocal tariff policies and access for Vietnamese key export products to the US market.
Deputy PM Le Thanh Long proposed countries promote shared values, including building trust, sincerity, and solidarity among nations and peoples; fostering cooperation spirit and responsible behaviour as well as upholding international law and the UN Charter; and placing people at the centre and as the goal, the key player, and the driving force of all policies.
The show, together with a grand parade to be held silmutaneously at Ba Dinh Square in Hanoi, will celebrate the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution, the National Day, and the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army (VPA).
In particular, in April 2023, the two sides successfully carried out a joint operation that dismantled a major organised, transnational drug trafficking ring involving both Vietnamese and Cambodian suspects.
Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Le Thanh Liem (first, L) and Swiss Consul General Othmar Hardegger (first, R) cut the cake to celebrate Vietnam - Switzerland diplomatic ties (Photo: VNA)
