Ambassadors of Switzerland, Malaysia, Cambodia Present Credentials

Swiss Ambassador Thomas Gass presented his credentials to Acting President Vo Thi Anh Xuan , permitting him to assume his full function as Ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary of Switzerland to Vietnam. Source: Embassy of Switzerland in Vietnam

Acting President Vo Thi Anh Xuan on February 22 hosted receptions for the Ambassadors of Switzerland, Malaysia and Cambodia to Vietnam who came to present their credentials.

Receiving Swiss Ambassador Thomas Gass, Xuan affirmed that Vietnam has always attached importance to its traditional friendship and cooperation with Switzerland over the past 50 years.

She proposed the two countries maintain the exchange of delegations at all levels, and continue to closely coordinate with and support each other at multilateral forums and international organisations.

The Acting President also suggested encouraging Swiss enterprises to do long-term business in Vietnam, especially in the fields of green growth, digital transformation, circular economy, finance – banking, insurance, manufacturing, hi-tech agriculture, and education – training.

Xuan proposed Switzerland, as the country with an important voice in the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), continue promoting negotiations on the Vietnam – EFTA Free Trade Agreement to achieve practical results that are in conformity with the interests of both sides in the coming time.

Gass expressed his hope that the two countries will continue enhancing political relations, stepping up high-level meetings, and organising visits this year.

It is necessary to promote collaboration in education and trade, and people-to-people exchanges, he said, adding that he will help boost Swiss FDI inflows to Vietnam thanks to the country’s favourable investment environment.

Switzerland is Vietnam’s important partner in Europe and the Southeast Asian nation was Switzerland’s third largest seafood trade partner in 2021, after Norway and the Netherlands.

At the reception for Malaysian Ambassador Tan Yang Thai, Acting President Xuan agrees with his proposal of stepping up delegation exchanges this year. Photo: VNA

At the reception for Malaysian Ambassador Tan Yang Thai, Xuan agreed with his proposal of stepping up delegation exchanges this year as the two countries are celebrating the 50th anniversary of the establishment of bilateral diplomatic ties.

She proposed Malaysia create a safe and favourable labour environment for Vietnamese labourers in the country on the basis of an agreement on labour cooperation signed in March 2022.

Xuan also proposed speeding up negotiations towards the early signing of a memorandum of understanding on bilateral defence cooperation and work to build a cooperation agreement on ensuring cyber-security.

The Acting President appreciated and asked the two sides to maintain active coordination and mutual support at regional and international forums and organisations such as the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the United Nations.

The Malaysian Ambassador said that he will coordinate with the authorities of the two countries to organise activities in celebration of the 50th founding anniversary of diplomatic ties.

He asked authorised agencies to create more favourable conditions so that more and more Malaysians will visit or do business in Vietnam.

The Vietnam-Malaysia traditional friendship and strategic partnership has been thriving towards the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties (1973-2023). Last year, remarkable outcomes reached during the recent visit to Vietnam by Malaysian Prime Minister Dato’ Sri Ismail Sabri bin Yaakob have created impetus for the development of the Vietnam-Malaysia strategic partnership in the time to come.

The Government leaders of Vietnam and Malaysia agreed to work to raise two-way trade to USD 18 billion or even higher by 2025, and step up the trading of goods of their strength such as agricultural and aquatic products, Halal products and electronic components. The two sides will also study the building of a mechanism on information sharing regarding trade remedies.

Acting President Vo Thi Anh Xuan and Chea Kimtha – the first female ambassador of Cambodia to Vietnam. Photo: VNA

Welcoming Chea Kimtha – the first female ambassador of Cambodia to Vietnam, Xuan showed her belief that the diplomat will have a successful working tenure, thus contributing to fostering the bilateral relations.

She affirmed that Vietnam always treasures and gives high priority to consolidating and enhancing its traditional friendship and all-around collaboration with Cambodia.

The Acting President proposed the two nations continue working with and assisting each other at regional and international forums, for the benefits of the two countries’ people, and for the development of ASEAN.

Chea Kimtha vowed to exert efforts to help step up the implementation of the signed cooperation agreement as well as people-to-people exchanges, and intensify communications for the two nations’ people, especially youths, to understand more about the bilateral relations and continue developing these ties.

Previous, on February 19, Minister of National Defence Gen. Phan Van Giang and visiting Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence, Gen. Tea Banh, reviewed their ministries’ cooperation in 2022 and agreed on a cooperation plan for this year during talks in Hanoi.

The ministers also inked the 2023 cooperation plan and witnessed the signing of the two defence ministries’ memorandum of understanding on cooperation in military and defence law.