After an official welcome ceremony for him at the headquarters of theSwiss Parliament in Berne, NA Chairman Hung held talks with his host.
Highlighting the intensive and comprehensivedevelopment of the two countries’ friendship and multifacetedcooperation over the past time, the Vietnamese leader affirmed thatSwitzerland is an important economic partner of Vietnam in Europe.
Hesaid he hopes that Switzerland will continue encouraging itsbusinesses to invest in Vietnam , especially in finance, banking,insurance, high technology, chemicals and pharmaceuticals.
Chairman Hung thanked the Swiss Parliament and Government for theirsupport for and provision of official development assistance (ODA) toVietnam .
He confirmed that Switzerland’s ODAcapital has been used effectively in Vietnam, actively contributingto the country’s poverty reduction, rural development, environmentalprotection, socio-economic development, and international economicintegration.
For his part, President RuediLustenberger congratulated Vietnam on its socio-economic developmentachievements, especially in the context of difficulties in the worldeconomy.
He agreed with the promotion of bilateral cooperation in all areas, meeting the aspirations of each side.
The Swiss National Council President spoke highly of the VietnameseNational Assembly’s adoption of a new constitution, describing it as animportant milestone in the country’s legislative work with newdevelopments in building the State apparatus and guaranteeing humanrights.
He said that the Swiss Parliament, with its experience, is willing to assist Vietnam in implementing the constitution.
He also expressed his attention to Vietnam’s efforts to overcomethe consequences of Agent Orange/dioxin, stating it needs the attentionand support from international organisations and experienced nations inthis field.
Both host and guest agreed that the twosides should maintain the exchange of all-level delegations, especiallyfriendship parliamentarian groups, and promote people-to-peopleexchanges, thus contributing to developing the Vietnam-Switzerlandcomprehensive cooperation.
On the occasion, NAChairman Hung invited President Ruedi Lustenberger to visit Vietnamand attend the 132nd Inter-Parliamentary Union Assembly (IPU-132) tobe held in the country in March 2015.
On March 19,the top Vietnamese legislator is scheduled to meet President of theSwiss State Council (Upper House) Hannes Germann.-VNA