Swiss president begins Vietnam visit

By Saadet Gokce

ISTANBUL (AA) - Swiss President Guy Parmelin arrived in Vietnam's capital Hanoi on Saturday for a two-day official visit, the Vietnamese government said.

Parmelin and his wife were received by chairman of the People's Committee of Hanoi Vu Dai Thang at Noi Bai International Airport.

Vietnamese President To Lam and his spouse later hosted an official welcome ceremony at the National Assembly House.

The two leaders and their high-level delegations later held talks and witnessed the exchange of cooperation documents between the two countries' ministries and agencies.

Details of the signed documents were not immediately available.

Switzerland and Vietnam established a comprehensive partnership in January 2025, and bilateral trade exceeded $1 billion same year.

The two countries are also preparing to sign a free trade agreement between Vietnam and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), which comprises Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein.

The agreement is expected to improve market access, facilitate investment and create new business opportunities on both sides.

Saadet Gökce