National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung met President of the Swiss State Council (Upper House) Hannes Germann and attended a parliamentary plenary session on March 19 as part of his current visit to Switzerland.

The chairman told his host that his current visit aims to deepen the friendship and all-round cooperation between the two countries, and their legislative bodies in particular, in order to forge stronger inter-regional and international links.

Vietnam’s top legislator said he hopes for further progress in negotiations on a free trade agreement between Vietnam and the European Free Trade Association, including Switzerland, thus helping boost trade between the two countries and paving the way for ambitious businesses.

He hailed coordination and mutual support between Vietnam and Switzerland in international organisations and multilateral forums, particularly the United Nations and Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM), while assuring that Vietnam will support Switzerland in increasing its ties with ASEAN and other Southeast Asian nations.

Hung suggested that both legislative bodies coordinate more closely at the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and the Francophone Parliamentary Alliance (APF).

On the occasion, Chairman Hung invited President Germann to attend the IPU-132, which will be held in Vietnam next year.

For his part, Germann agreed that parliamentary cooperation is one of the most effective channels for improving relations between the two countries.

He suggested both sides increase their connections, including the exchange of experience in law-making and supervision, while hurrying along the implementation of outstanding agreements.

Later the same day, Chairman Hung left Bern for Roma, starting his official visit to Italy at the invitation of President of the Chamber of Deputies (Lower House) Laura Boldrini.-VNA