Mr. To Lam welcomed the fact that the talks took place during the year marking the 55th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

On the occasion, he congratulated Mr. Guy Parmelin on his re-election for a second term as President of Switzerland.

Vietnam always values its friendship and multifaceted cooperation with Switzerland and hopes both sides will continue coordinating closely to effectively implement and further deepen the Comprehensive Partnership framework established in January 2025.

Mr. To Lam also shared Vietnam’s long-term vision of becoming a developed, high-income country by 2045, maintaining annual economic growth of more than 10 percent while pursuing an independent, self-reliant and diversified foreign policy.

Vietnam considers Switzerland one of its leading partners in Europe and hopes the country will continue serving as a trusted companion during Vietnam’s new era of development.

For his part, President Guy Parmelin congratulated Mr. To Lam on being elected State President and emphasized that Vietnam’s rapid and comprehensive development achievements had “made a strong impression on the world.”

Switzerland, he said, highly values and seeks to further strengthen cooperation with Vietnam throughout its reform process and development goals in the new stage.

Both leaders agreed that amid increasingly rapid, complex and unpredictable global developments, the two countries should strengthen dialogue, reinforce political trust and deepen multifaceted cooperation.

The Swiss president expressed agreement with several key cooperation directions proposed by Mr. To Lam, including strengthening political trust through regular exchanges and contacts at all levels and across all channels, while effectively implementing the Comprehensive Partnership framework.

The two countries also agreed on the need for breakthroughs in trade and investment cooperation commensurate with their respective potential and international standing.

Both sides stressed that science and technology should become a new pillar of bilateral relations, prioritizing joint research projects in agriculture, biotechnology, green energy and the digital economy.

Security and defense cooperation was also identified as one of the important focuses in bilateral ties.

The two leaders further emphasized the importance of accelerating negotiations and signing the Free Trade Agreement between Vietnam and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), of which Switzerland is a member, in order to create fresh momentum for bilateral economic, trade and investment cooperation.

Party General Secretary and President To Lam affirmed that Vietnam values and is willing to exchange views on intellectual property issues with Switzerland and other partners in accordance with international trade regulations.

He also proposed that Switzerland share its expertise and support Vietnam in developing international financial centers and the fintech sector, particularly in digital finance, blockchain, digital assets and sustainable finance.

Regarding multilateral cooperation, the two leaders agreed to strengthen coordination at international forums and within the United Nations framework to help address issues of shared concern on the basis of international law, for peace, stability and prosperity in the region and globally.

On the occasion, Mr. To Lam invited Swiss President Guy Parmelin to visit Vietnam.

The Swiss president gladly accepted the invitation.

Tran Thuong