Vietnam, Switzerland Agree to Foster Relations

Vietnam, Switzerland agree to foster relations

HANOI, Aug. 4 (Xinhua) — Vietnam and Switzerland have agreed to strengthen bilateral ties in various fields, including economy, trade, investment, education and training, Vietnam News Agency reported Monday.

Vietnamese State President Nguyen Minh Triet and visiting Swiss President Pascal Couchepin were pleased with “the fine, diversified and sustainable relations between the two countries which are developing extensively and intensively in all fields.”

The two presidents stressed the importance of official development assistance of Switzerland and other countries in Vietnam’s fast poverty reduction process. Couchepin confirmed that his country would continue to assist Vietnam during the progress.

The two leaders agreed to step up bilateral cooperation on education and training in the coming time. Couchepin said he supported Swiss universities in granting more scholarships to Vietnamese post-graduates. Vietnam’s two leading universities will ink cooperative deals with two Swiss universities on Aug. 5.

They encouraged the active cooperation between financial and banking institutions of the two countries, especially the technical assistance and experience transfer of Swiss firms to Vietnamese partners. The Swiss side confirmed that it would actively assist Vietnam in this field.

The two leaders emphasized the role of a state governed by law in national development. The Swiss president welcomed Vietnam’s efforts in the state’s development.

During their talks on Monday, they also discussed international issues of common concern, such as the Untied Nations and its Security Council, the international criminal court, effects of globalization on the two countries, and global warming, according to the joint statement.

The Swiss president is paying an official visit to Vietnam from Aug.3-6.

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