New York (VNA) – Vice State President Vo Thi Anh Xuan had bilateralmeetings with Swiss President Viola Amherd and Latvian Prime Minister EvikaSiliņa, and received New York City Mayor Eric Adams, on the occasion of herattendance at the 68th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW)of the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) in New York on March 11 (localtime).

Xuan congratulated Viola Amherd on becomingthe President of Switzerland, and also the first woman to hold the position asthe head of the Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport.

She proposed the two sides continue to exchangedelegations at all levels, especially high-level ones, to promote bilateral andmultilateral cooperation, thanked the Swiss Government for providingofficial development assistance (ODA) to Vietnam’s renovation since1992, and  said she hopes that the two sides will continue to promote development cooperation,innovation, and coordination to contribute to the common efforts of theinternational community for sustainable development.

Appreciating Vietnam's socio-economic achievementsin recent years, Viola Amherd affirmed that Switzerland always values itsfriendship and multifaceted cooperation with Vietnam. She said that the twocountries still have a lot of room and potential for economic, trade andinvestment collaboration.

The President shared Xuan’s views on thesignificance and importance of gender equality and women's empowerment in thechanging world context, and agreed that the two sides need to proactivelycoordinate in and contribute to the common efforts of the UN and theinternational community in this field, especially promoting the role of womenin maintaining peace and security and participating in the UN peacekeepingforces.

The two leaders also discussed international and regional issues of mutualconcern, including the situation in Europe. On this occasion, Xuan conveyed theinvitation of President Vo Van Thuong to the Swiss President to visitVietnam at an appropriate time.

Meeting PM Evika Siliņa, Xuan confirmedthat Vietnam treasures and hopes to develop its friendship and multifacetedcollaboration with Latvia.

She thanked Latvia for being one of thefirst countries to provide COVID-19 vaccines to Vietnam, and also oneof the first European Union (EU) member countries to ratify the EU - Vietnam InvestmentProtection Agreement (EVIPA).

The Vice President proposed Latvia raise its voice to support the European Commission (EC)’s early removal of its"yellow card" warning against Vietnamese seafood exports, and coordinatewith Vietnam and the international community to promote the settlement ofinternational conflicts and disputes, including the East Sea one, by peacefulmeans on the basis of international law.

The Latvian PM stressed the need for thetwo countries to boost cooperation in potential fields such as information andcommunications, science - technology, labour, and pharmaceuticals.

She affirmed that the Latvian Governmentwill continue prioritising its education and training collaboration with Vietnam.

Exchanging opinions of severalinternational and regional issues of mutual concern, the two sides agreed tomaintain cooperation and mutual support at multilateral forums, including theUN.

Receiving Mayor Eric Adams, Xuan said that the Vietnam - US relation is entering a new stage of developmentwith many opportunities for exchange and cooperation at the national and local levels.She recommended that New York authorities continue to support US and New York people and enterprisesto do business in Vietnam, as well as creating favourable conditions forVietnamese businesses and people living in the city.

She encouraged New York to work with Ho ChiMinh City to establish mechanisms to effectively implement cooperationagreements, and share with the largest economic hub of Vietnam its experience indeveloping international financial centres.

Agreeing with the Vietnamese leader’sproposals, Eric Adams affirmed to bring into full play New York’s strengths to intensifycooperation with Vietnamese partners./.