Vietnam-Switzerland parliamentary cooperation: A testament to trust in dialogue and peace
WVR - Swiss Ambassador to Vietnam Thomas Gass has emphasized that the mission of National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man and his Spouse, to attend the Sixth World Conference of Speakers of Parliament in Switzerland and conduct bilateral activities there, followed by official visits to Senegal and Morocco from July 22 to 30, powerfully demonstrates Vietnam's commitment to dialogue, solidarity, and peace.
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| Ambassador Thomas Gass underscored its importance in reaffirming Vietnam's belief in the essential role of parliaments and elected representatives in modern political systems. (Photo: Pham Truong) |
At the invitation of Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) President Tulia Ackson, IPU Secretary General Martin Chungong, Speaker of the House of Representatives of Morocco Rachid Talbi Alami, and President of the National Assembly of Senegal El Malick Ndiaye, Chairman Tran Thanh Man has represented the leadership of the Communist Party and State of Vietnam at the Sixth World Conference of Speakers of Parliament in Geneva. He has also undertaken bilateral engagements in Switzerland and paid official visits to Morocco and Senegal from July 22 to 30.
Parliamentary diplomacy: A bridge between Vietnam and Switzerland
In his remarks, Ambassador Gass noted that amid global turbulence, the IPU-led Parliamentary Forum serves as a vital reminder that genuine sustainable development must center around people, demand inclusive participation, and uphold interdependence and international solidarity.
The Vietnamese delegation's presence in Geneva, he added, reflects Vietnam’s confidence in the role of legislatures and in the value of public representatives from diverse regions, genders, ethnic groups, and viewpoints. The visit also highlights Vietnam’s strong commitment to dialogue, solidarity, and peace.
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| From July 22 to 30, National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man, his spouse, and a high-level Vietnamese delegation have attended the Sixth World Conference of Speakers of Parliament, carried out bilateral activities in Switzerland, and paid official visits to Morocco and Senegal. (Source: National Assembly Portal) |
Reaffirming that parliamentary diplomacy has become a key pillar in Vietnam–Switzerland relations, Ambassador Gass recalled the visit of Swiss National Council President Maja Riniker and two Vice Presidents to Hanoi in June 2023, which helped revive high-level parliamentary dialogue and promote cooperation in legal and trade matters.
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He also highlighted a March 2024 meeting between a Vietnamese parliamentary delegation and Swiss lawmakers in Geneva, aimed at enhancing legislative exchanges and outreach to the Vietnamese community. Most recently, in January 2025, two Swiss MPs attended the Francophone Parliamentary Cooperation Forum in Can Tho, which focused on sustainable agriculture and climate change.
Ambassador Gass revealed that President of the National Council Maja Riniker may extend an invitation for Chairman Tran Thanh Man to make an official visit to Switzerland in the near future, signaling another milestone in bilateral parliamentary ties.
“We look forward to a formal bilateral visit in the future,” the Ambassador said.
Further strengthening bilateral cooperation
Reviewing recent achievements in bilateral ties, Ambassador Gass highlighted the strong momentum in Vietnam–Switzerland relations in the first half of 2025, particularly following the formal establishment of a Comprehensive Partnership in January 2025.
A key highlight was the meeting between Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Swiss President Karin Keller-Sutter on the occasion of the 55th Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, where both sides pledged to accelerate negotiations on the Free Trade Agreement between Vietnam and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA).
In May 2025, the two countries marked the 35th anniversary of diplomatic relations with a series of practical outcomes, including the launch of the Vietnam–Switzerland Cooperation Programme for 2025–2028. This includes a digital finance partnership via a Fintech Regulatory Sandbox developed in coordination with the State Bank of Vietnam. In climate cooperation, a Swiss-supported urban flood prevention project in Can Tho, implemented with the World Bank, has been successfully completed.
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| On the occasion of the 55th Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos in January 2025, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh met with Swiss President Karin Keller-Sutter. (Source: VNA) |
Economic, trade, and innovation exchanges have also flourished, with the Vietnam–Switzerland Economic Forum and promotion events by the Vietnamese Embassy in Switzerland fostering connections among businesses, scholars, and local leaders in sectors such as smart agriculture, tourism, clean energy, and financial technology.
On the cultural front, Swiss artists and films have actively participated in Francophonie Day events in Vietnam, showcasing mutual cultural interest and people-to-people ties.
Looking ahead to Vietnam’s 80th National Day (September 2, 1945 – September 2, 2025), Ambassador Gass remarked that Vietnam’s international standing is rising significantly.
“As a dynamic, resilient, and ambitious nation, I believe Vietnam is well-positioned to further champion the values it holds dear—peace, solidarity, and cooperation among nations,” he affirmed.
The World Conference of Speakers of Parliament is a unique and highest-level platform established by the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), in close cooperation with the United Nations. It brings together heads of national legislatures to exchange views and promote parliamentary cooperation.
The Sixth World Conference of Speakers of Parliament takes place from July 29 to 31 at the United Nations Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, under the theme: “A World in turmoil: Parliamentary cooperation and Multilateralism for Peace, Justice and Prosperity for All.”
Switzerland and Vietnam officially established diplomatic relations on October 11, 1971. Today, Switzerland is a key European trading partner of Vietnam, while Vietnam ranks as Switzerland’s fourth-largest trading partner in ASEAN.
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