Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc receives visiting  visiting member of the Swiss Federal Council and head of the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research Guy Parmelin in Hà Nội on Wednesday. — VNA/VNS Photo Thống Nhất

HÀ NỘI – Việt Nam has always attached importance to, consolidated and strengthened the relations of traditional friendship and co-operation with Switzerland, Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc stated on Wednesday.

During a reception in Hà Nội for visiting member of the Swiss Federal Council and head of the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research Guy Parmelin, the PM also thanked Switzerland for its support during Việt Nam’s bid to become a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council for the 2020-21 tenure.

The Swiss official spoke highly of the outcomes of bilateral relations and said there is still room for further development. He also highlighted that many Swiss firms have poured investment into Viet Nam and created over 20,000 jobs for local workers.

Touching upon the negotiations on the free trade agreement (FTA) between Việt Nam and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), he expressed his hope that the two sides can soon sign the document.

In reply, PM Phúc highly valued efforts by both sides in narrowing the gap in outstanding issues, and asked the EFTA to take a more practical approach. He also asked the Swiss official to support and further investment from his country to Việt Nam.

The Vietnamese Government is striving to improve the investment and business environment to further facilitate the long-term operation by foreign firms, including Swiss ones, PM Phúc stressed and thanked Switzerland for providing official development assistance to Việt Nam in various fields.

The Government leader also spoke highly of Switzerland’s active contributions to the maintenance of peace, security and development in the world, especially its continued voice for support of Việt Nam and ASEAN’s stance on settling disputes on the East Sea by peaceful means, on the basis of international law, especially the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS 1982). — VNS