The Vietnamese legislative leader stressed that the country is well aware of the WTO's role in global economic development as well as in each country's economic growth. The Vietnamese National Assembly together with the Government has made WTO entry a priority in their work and this year the legislative body will give top priority to completing laws on Vietnam's WTO entry.

Despite its efforts, Vietnam, as a developing country, needs international support in its bid to join the WTO. He thanked the WTO Secretariat for having organised nine multi-lateral talks on Vietnam's application as well as for its comments on Vietnam's documents. He asked for the continued support of the Secretariat, expressing his hope that with this support, the determination and efforts of the Vietnamese NA and Government and the goodwill of the partners, Vietnam will be able to join the WTO as soon as possible.

The WTO head said the visit by NA Chairman An reflects the Vietnamese leaders' commitment to WTO entry and their great efforts towards this goal. He said Vietnam has made headway in legal matters, in which the National Assembly plays the central role. He called on the country to make revisions to a number of regulations on tax, trade, investment, intellectual property and services.

Mr Supachai also said he and the WTO Secretariat hoped that Vietnam could join the WTO early and were willing to assist the country to achieve this goal.

Chairman An also held talks on March 23 with Deputy Speaker of the Swiss House of Representatives E. O. Christine, who expressed her belief that the current visit by the Vietnamese legislative leader would diversify bilateral ties between the parliaments and people of the two countries.

Christine pointed to the fact that the two countries have similarities in foreign policy. She spoke highly of Vietnam's role in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and expressed her admiration for the country's rapid economic development. She said she hoped that Vietnam would become a WTO member in the near future and that the Switzerland-Vietnam relationship would expand further.

Chairman An briefed Christine on Vietnam's socio-economic development in the recent past. He also took the occasion to extend thanks for the great assistance given by Switzerland to Vietnam's renovation process.

"Though geographically far apart and with few traditional contacts, recent meetings between the two countries' politicians and business community representatives, as well as increasing cultural exchanges between the two countries, have reflected our mutual trust and common aspiration for deeper and more comprehensive relations," the Vietnamese leader said.

The delegates had a frank and open discussion of issues of common concern so as to boost mutual understanding.

In the evening, the Deputy Speaker of the Swiss House of Representatives held a banquet in honour of Chairman An and his entourage.

Earlier, Chairman An visit the Peace Hall where the signing of Vietnam Geneva Agreements took place in 1954, which recognised the fundamental national rights of the Vietnamese people.

The Vietnamese leader was also received by the Bern Mayor on March 23./.