Delegation of the Communist Party of Vietnam visits and works in Switzerland

Implementing the 2023 Foreign Affairs Plan, Comrade Phan Dinh Trac - Politburo member, Secretary of the Party Central Committee, Head of the Central Internal Affairs Commission, Deputy Head of the Central Steering Committee on Anti-Corruption and Negativity, Deputy Head of the Central Steering Committee for Judicial Reform, led a delegation of our Party to visit and work in Switzerland from June 26 to July 2, 2023.

During the visit, the delegation had meetings and worked with First Vice President of the Swiss Senate Eva Herzog, Secretary General of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) Rebeca Grynspan, Head of the Swiss Inter-Ministerial Office for Anti-Corruption Alexandra Baumann, Secretary General of the Swiss Ministry of Foreign Affairs Markus Seiler, Mayor of Bern Alec von Graffenried, Co-Chairwoman of the Swiss Labor Party Amanda Loset, General Secretary of the Swiss Communist Party Massimilano Ay and President of the Switzerland-Vietnam Friendship Association Anjuska Weil.

The delegation visited the Vietnamese Embassy in Switzerland, the Vietnamese Permanent Mission in Geneva and met with representatives of the Vietnamese community in Switzerland.

At the meetings, Comrade Phan Dinh Trac informed about the socio-economic development situation and achievements that Vietnam has achieved after nearly 40 years of renovation, about the goals and strategies for national development according to the guidelines of the 13th National Party Congress; and exchanged and learned about Switzerland's experience in preventing and combating corruption.

Assessing the bilateral relationship, Comrade Phan Dinh Trac emphasized and expressed his joy that the relationship between the two countries continues to develop positively, increasingly diverse and substantive in many fields. He thanked the Swiss Government, people and political parties that have cooperative relations with the Communist Party of Vietnam for always supporting Vietnam's cause of national construction and development.

To continue promoting the bilateral relations between Vietnam and Switzerland in the coming time, Comrade Phan Dinh Trac suggested that the two sides continue to maintain delegation exchanges at high and all levels in the channels of party diplomacy, state diplomacy and people-to-people diplomacy; soon complete negotiations on the Free Trade Agreement between Vietnam and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA); effectively implement the Vietnam - Switzerland Development Cooperation Program for the period 2021-2024 and the agreements signed by the two sides; strengthen cooperation in regional and international forums for the benefit of the people of the two countries, contributing to peace, stability and development in the region and the world.

The leaders of the Swiss National Assembly, government and agencies highly appreciated the delegation's visit and work, affirming that the visit contributed significantly to consolidating and deepening the relationship between the two countries. Swiss leaders expressed their delight at the positive development of the cooperative relationship between the two countries, especially demonstrated through high-level visits between the two countries in recent times.

Congratulating Vietnam on the achievements it has made after nearly 40 years of renovation, you expressed optimism about Vietnam's future development.

You highly appreciate the role and position of Vietnam in the region and the world, and affirm that Switzerland considers Vietnam a leading important partner in Southeast Asia, hoping that the two countries will further strengthen cooperation in all fields, especially economics, trade, investment and international issues for the common interests of both countries.

Exchanging experiences in anti-corruption work, you introduced the anti-corruption strategy for the period 2021-2024 and specific measures as well as practical experience of Switzerland in this field.

UNCTAD Secretary-General Rebeca Grynspan highly appreciated Vietnam's achievements in the fields of economic development, hunger eradication, poverty reduction, health and education as well as Vietnam's active and responsible participation in the international community, especially through efforts to implement the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and commitments made at the COP26 Conference on climate change. UNCTAD leaders also expressed their delight at the good results of cooperation with Vietnam in UNCTAD's fields of operation, and affirmed that in the coming time, they will continue to strengthen cooperation in specific cooperation programs and projects.

In an exchange with the Vietnamese Embassy in Switzerland, the Vietnamese Permanent Delegation and representatives of overseas Vietnamese in Geneva, Switzerland, comrade Phan Dinh Trac informed the main features of the country's situation, the Party and State's policies and guidelines on socio-economic development, Party building and rectification, and the political system and the prevention and fight against corruption and negativity since the 13th National Congress.

Comrade Phan Dinh Trac praised the positive results of the representative agencies and at the same time, requested the officers and staff of the Vietnamese representative agencies in Switzerland to continue to strive to excellently fulfill their assigned tasks, contributing to further strengthening the friendship and bilateral cooperation between Vietnam and Switzerland as well as Vietnam's role at the United Nations.

To the Vietnamese community in Switzerland, recognizing the sentiments and contributions of the people to their homeland and country, he asked them to continue to integrate well with the host country, always turn towards the Fatherland, and promote their important role as a bridge to further strengthen the friendship and cooperation between Vietnam and Switzerland.