“Vietnam praises Switzerland’s role in Europe and the rest of the world and wants to strengthen diplomatic ties and economic cooperation with the European country,” said Mr Triet. 

He welcomed Mr Couchepin’s visit to Vietnam, saying the visit is a milestone in bilateral relations. He thanked the Swiss and President Couchepin for supporting Vietnam in the past struggle for national liberation and the current national development process, as well as the country’s admission to the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and its election to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).

For his part, Mr Couchepin affirmed that Switzerland is willing to help Vietnam overcome difficulties and challenges from the global economic downturn and its admission to the World Trade Organisation.

The international community and Switzerland are totally confident of the Vietnamese Government’s capacity to overcome the negative effects of the world economy, said Mr Couchepin citing the high inflows of foreign direct investment in the country in the past six months.

Switzerland praises Vietnam’s efforts in fulfilling WTO commitments and believes that the fulfilment will lay firm foundations for Vietnam to develop its economy, as well as strengthening cooperative ties with Switzerland, said Mr Couchepin.

Both host and guest exchanged views on measures to promote friendship and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries. They expressed elation at bilateral cooperation in economics, trade, investment, tourism, education and training and poverty reduction.

After the talks, the two presidents hosted a press briefing on the results of the talks.

President Couchepin affirmed that Switzerland will increase its investments in Vietnam as many of its investors have realised the Southeast Asian market’s great potential. He said Switzerland also wants to cooperate with Vietnam in education, science and technology, environmental protection and climate change adaptation.

Meanwhile, President Triet spoke about the Government’s solutions to curb inflation, saying these solutions have begun to pay off. He said foreign investors have made recommendations to the Government and they believe that Vietnam will overcome difficulties and move forward in the coming time.

In the afternoon, President Couchepin paid a courtesy visit to Party General Secretary Nong Duc Manh who affirmed that Vietnam attaches importance to promoting friendship and multifaceted cooperation with Switzerland in the interests of the two people and for peace, cooperation and development in the region and the rest of the world.

President Coupechin briefed Mr Manh on the result of his talks with President Triet and said that Switzerland will continue to provide assistance and increase cooperation with Vietnam in its strong areas such as education and human resources development.

At another reception the same day, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung proposed that Switzerland increase the import of Vietnam’s farm products, seafood, garments and textiles, leather footwear and handicrafts.

President Couchepin praised the Vietnamese Government’s efforts to curb inflation by putting major solutions in place. He welcomed Mr Dung’s proposal and said that Switzerland will increase development aid to Vietnam, especially in environmental issues.

Mr Couchepin also met with Chairman of the National Assembly Nguyen Phu Trong who expressed Vietnam’s desire to learn from Switzerland’s development experience. Mr Trong briefed his guest on the National Assembly’s role in surmounting major difficulties of the national economy caused by high inflation, aimed at stabilising the macro economy and ensuring social welfare.

The same day, President Couchepin paid a courtesy visit to legendary General Vo Nguyen Giap.