(VOVworld) – Deputy Prime Minister Hoang Trung Hai praised Switzerland’s decision to open its Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh city at Tuesday’s reception for Foreign Minister Didier Burkhalter in Hanoi. He asked Switzerland to continue promoting ODA and FDI projects in Vietnam and negotiations of an FTA between Vietnam and the European Free Trade Area. The Swiss diplomat said that the opening of the Swiss Consulate General in HCM city was evidence of Switzerland’s attention to increasing cooperation with Vietnam. He said that Switzerland supports Vietnam’s international economic integration, including the signing of free trade agreements.

The two discussed a number of regional issues and the effects of the East Sea issue generated by China’s recent violations on cooperation between many countries. They affirmed that Vietnam and Switzerland shared a same view over the need to respect international law and codes of conduct to ensure navigation and aviation security and freedom in the region.