Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and President Karin Keller-Sutter agreed to lift Vietnam-Switzerland relations to a Comprehensive Partnership during their meeting on January 21, on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting in Davos, Switzerland.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and President Keller-Sutter. Source: VNA

At the meeting, President Keller-Sutter acknowledged Vietnam’s growing role as a key regional partner for Switzerland. Both leaders pledged to strengthen economic cooperation and take concrete steps to accelerate negotiations on a Free Trade Agreement between Vietnam and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA).

The two countries will deepen cooperation in areas such as innovation, green finance, intellectual property, and the exchange of expertise on developing international financial centers in Vietnam. President Keller-Sutter reaffirmed Switzerland’s continued support for Vietnam through the 2025-2028 Development Cooperation Program.

Vietnam and Switzerland will also explore opportunities to expand joint academic initiatives, training programs, and tourism cooperation. Bilateral collaboration will focus on innovation, science and technology, and knowledge sharing.

Both sides reaffirmed the importance of multilateral cooperation and efforts to address global challenges, including environmental protection, climate change mitigation, and water security.

Overview of the meeting.

The two countries also reiterated their commitment to maintaining peace, stability, security, and freedom of navigation and overflight in the East Sea (South China Sea). They emphasized the need to resolve disputes through peaceful means, in accordance with international law, particularly the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS 1982).

Vietnam and Switzerland established diplomatic relations in 1971. Switzerland is a key European trading partner for Vietnam, while Vietnam ranks as Switzerland’s fourth largest trade partner within ASEAN. In the first 11 months of last year, bilateral trade exceeded $730 million.

Switzerland is the sixth largest European investor in Vietnam, with 220 active projects and a total registered capital exceeding $2.1 billion. The Vietnamese community in Switzerland has around 10,000 people and is spread over 26 cantons.