Ambassador Ivo Sieber (R) and Vietnamese Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son at the ceremony to handover the “Geneva Conference Room” to the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam in November 2021
Reporter: In 2021, the world was heavily impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the relationship between Vietnam and Switzerland was still carried out in a practical and effective manner, with the highlight event being the 50th anniversary of the diplomatic relations between the two countries and the mutual visits of the two countries’ senior leaders. In your opinion, how meaningful are these events in promoting relations between the two countries in the coming time?
Ambassador Ivo Sieber: The last year offered multiple opportunities to strengthen diplomatic ties and enhance the dynamic cooperation between our two countries despite the COVID-19 related complexities. I feel fortunate and I am proud that we were able to accomplish key milestones during our jubilee year.
The two high-level visits, which took place both in Switzerland and Vietnam - the visit of Swiss Vice-President Ignazio Cassis to Hanoi in early August, and then the visit of President Nguyen Xuan Phuc to Berne in late November 2021 – were both successful and very valuable. They allowed decision-makers from our two countries to deepen the friendship and trustful relationship we share and to exchange directly, with the aim of opening new paths for enhanced cooperation and putting obstacles aside.
The jubilee year also allowed us to look back on a three decade long development and cooperation partnership between Switzerland and Vietnam. Over the course of the past 30 years, this partnership has resulted in more than USD600 million of grant money invested into Vietnam’s development efforts. The strength of this partnership was further underscored by the launch of the new 4-year program cycle 2021-2024. This cycle is again managed by the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs SECO and focuses on strengthening the competitiveness of the Vietnamese private sector, with special attention on small and medium sized enterprises and the creation of an innovative business environment.
In August 2021, at the height of the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in Vietnam, Switzerland sent humanitarian assistance worth CHF5 million (VND126 billion) – a sign of solidarity in the common fight against the pandemic.
In November 2021, I participated in the inauguration and hand-over to the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam (DAV) of the “Geneva Conference Room”. Personally, I am very attached to this conference room, which will stay as a reminder of our diplomatic anniversary. But even more importantly, it will live on, as it will be used by a large range of students, academics, dignitaries and the public from Vietnam and abroad. I feel grateful to the DAV for the excellent collaboration. I strongly believe that the so-called “Geneva spirit”, with its hallmark of fostering constructive problem-solving and peaceful inclusive discussions, has now found its ideal home here in Vietnam.
Jointly with our Vietnamese friends, we took advantage of this special year to the best extent possible: We not only evoked our rich common history and strong partnership. We also looked forward to explore where we can enter new paths and work together even better in addressing today’s key challenges, from maintaining peace in the world to effectively responding to pandemic- and climate change-related challenges.
Reporter: In recent years, Vietnam has been increasing its participation in multilateral foreign affairs and for the second time became a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, for the 2020-2021 term. How do you assess Vietnam's role in multilateral and international mechanisms?
Ambassador Ivo Sieber: During its most recent 2020 - 2021 membership in the UN Security Council, Vietnam illustrated its readiness and dedication as a responsible and committed member of the global community of nations. Vietnam’s multilateral engagement in areas such as peace-keeping, sustainable development, and the promotion of international law is important and Vietnam’s most recent statements in the context of the COP 26 of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change underscore its commitment.
There is also an extensive cooperation between Switzerland and Vietnam, for example on issues such as “Women Peace and Security” or the promotion of humanitarian law. This cooperation extends beyond the UN also in regional multilateral fora such as ASEAN, where Switzerland was admitted as a Sectoral Dialog Partner in 2016.
Reporter: In 2022, Switzerland will run for the position of a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council for the term 2023-2024. What are the priorities that Switzerland offers in this position?
Ambassador Ivo Sieber: As a neutral and independent country, Switzerland builds bridges to foster consensus. Known for its long humanitarian tradition, promoting international law, human rights, the protection of civilians and sustainable development, Switzerland is committed to a strong and effective multilateral system, and places human dignity and security at the center of all its actions. To this end, Switzerland emphasizes dialogue and partnership. Hosting the UN’s European headquarters in Geneva since the organization’s inception further underscores my country’s commitment to the UN and its noble mission.
If elected to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for the period 2023-2024 this June, Switzerland will act as a “Plus for Peace”. The white cross in our national flag symbolizes this “plus”. The “plus” stands for a strong dedication to themes such as international law and sustainable development, human rights, innovation, peace and humanity.
Switzerland’s candidacy for a non-permanent seat on the UNSC also opens up further possibilities for the cooperation with Vietnam towards strengthening multilateralism and the respect of international law.
Reporter: As a diplomatic bridge between Vietnam and Switzerland, in 2022, what do you plan to do to continue promoting the two countries' relations?
Ambassador Ivo Sieber: Nowadays, economic interactions, i.e. trade and investment, are the biggest driver of our cooperation. There is major potential to be leveraged here: within ASEAN, Switzerland ranks as the 9th most important foreign investor, but in Vietnam we are at the 19th position only. The fact that our economic cooperation was a key topic discussed both during Vice-President Cassis’ August-meeting with Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and the recent discussions between our two Presidents in Bern underlines our strong economic partnership. Moreover, on both occasions, the Swiss and Vietnamese leaders reiterated their willingness for an early conclusion of the negotiations for a progressive free trade agreement (FTA) between Vietnam and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA - including Iceland, Lichtenstein, Norway and Switzerland). Such an agreement would further bolster the potential for increased bilateral economic cooperation, offering new export opportunities for businesses on both sides and favoring foreign direct investments in Vietnam.
Other areas of cooperation that Switzerland and Vietnam will focus on include development, education, research, science and innovation. This comprises the already mentioned new SECO cooperation strategy supporting Vietnam’s sustainable and inclusive economic development, which also supports efforts to reach the net-zero carbon emissions target, as well as Vietnam’s undertakings to adapt to climate change.
From 2021 onwards, the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) and Vietnam’s National Foundation for Science and Technology Development (NAFOSTED) for the first time jointly supports 10 teams of Swiss and Vietnamese researchers carrying out projects in a vast range of disciplines. There is interest from the Swiss side to expand our cooperation in the field or research and education even more.
Reporter: On the occasion of the New Year 2022, what message would you like to send to readers of the Communist Party of Vietnam Online Newspaper?
Ambassador Ivo Sieber: Every Tet marks a new beginning. Celebrating my third Tet here in Vietnam, I very much appreciate the joyful atmosphere around the festive season, when families and friends come together to show respect to their ancestors, to celebrate, to reflect on the closing year and to welcome the New Year. I sincerely hope and wish that the Year of the Tiger will bring your readers and all the people in Vietnam the best of health, happiness, prosperity and success! Chúc mừng năm mới!
Reporter: Thank you very much!