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At the invitation of the Prime Minister of the Czech Republic, Petr Fiala, Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan will undertake an official visit to the Czech Republic from November 13 to 16, 2024. In light of this significant event, VOV reporters interviewed Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Vietnam to the Czech Republic, Duong Hoai Nam, regarding the key aspects of the visit.

Could you share the key contents of Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan's visit and how the Vietnamese Embassy in the Czech Republic has prepared for this important event?

Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan's official visit to the Czech Republic has been meticulously planned and prepared over several months. The Embassy has proactively coordinated with relevant agencies from both countries to arrange a comprehensive schedule of activities, ensuring a thoughtful and respectful reception, efficient logistics, and substantive exchange content.

During the visit, Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan is expected to meet with the highest leaders of the Czech Republic to discuss measures to enhance comprehensive cooperation in various fields, including politics and diplomacy, economics, trade and investment, science and technology, innovation, education and training, culture, sports and tourism, sustainable development, and people-to-people exchange. These discussions aim to deepen existing cooperation platforms, explore new potential areas of collaboration, and open up new opportunities for cooperation between Vietnam and the Czech Republic.

In preparation for the visit, the Embassy has received close and effective coordination from the Office of the President, the Office of the Prime Minister, the Office of the Senate, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic. This collaboration underscores the high regard and special respect the Czech Republic holds for Vietnam's position and prestige, as well as the strong Vietnam-Czech Republic relationship.

Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Vietnam to the Czech Republic Duong Hoai Nam.

The Czech Republic has consistently affirmed its view that Vietnam is a key partner in Southeast Asia and the Asia-Pacific region. Ambassador, what measures should the two countries take to further enhance economic, trade, and investment cooperation as well as other potential areas?

In the recently announced security and economic strategies by the Government of the Czech Republic, Vietnam and the Asia-Pacific region are highlighted as pivotal areas for promoting diplomatic relations and enhancing trade and investment cooperation. This strategic emphasis was demonstrated through Prime Minister Petr Fiala's visit to four Southeast Asian countries, including Vietnam, in April 2023.

According to data from the Czech Republic, the bilateral trade turnover between Vietnam and the Czech Republic in 2023 reached $2.9 billion, an increase of 19% compared to 2022. It is projected that in 2024, bilateral trade turnover will continue to grow robustly, potentially reaching $3.8 billion, an increase of 28% over 2023.

The Czech Republic is strategically positioned as the heart of Europe, possessing significant influence within the European Union. Conversely, Vietnam holds a favorable geographical location, serving as a gateway for numerous transport and aviation routes globally and within ASEAN. Moreover, with 16 effective free trade agreements and several others under negotiation, Vietnam is well-positioned to act as a bridge, facilitating stronger connections between the Czech Republic and the Asia-Pacific region.

To effectively leverage the benefits of the Vietnam-EU Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) and to strengthen cooperation in areas with substantial potential, such as the economy, trade, education, training, science, technology, culture, sports, tourism, and labor, it is essential for both countries to prioritize initiating negotiations and signing the new phase of the Education and Labor Agreement. Additionally, establishing a direct flight from Hanoi to Prague and expanding cooperation in green transformation, digital transformation, renewable energy, and mining are crucial steps.

The longstanding friendship and the support of high-ranking leaders form a solid foundation for strengthening political trust between the two countries, deepening and enhancing the Vietnam-Czech Republic relationship for the benefit of their peoples, and contributing to peace and stability in the region and the world.

How do you assess local cooperation and people-to-people exchanges between the two countries? What are the important and meaningful highlights for enhancing understanding between the people of the two countries as well as promoting bilateral relations?

Recently, the exchange of local delegations between the two countries has been very active. Notably, in 2024, delegations from the provinces of Ha Nam, Nam Dinh, and Hai Duong visited the Czech Republic, while a delegation from Plzen province visited Vietnam. Both sides share many similarities and have complementary strengths. Through these visits combined with market research, they have identified suitable businesses and investors and are actively discussing and implementing various cooperation areas that align with the strengths of each locality. I am hopeful that these localities will soon sign cooperation agreements and specific projects, contributing to enhancing the effectiveness of economic, trade, and investment cooperation between the two countries.

People-to-people exchanges are a hallmark of the relationship between the two nations. The Vietnamese community in the Czech Republic currently numbers about 100,000 people, making it the third-largest ethnic minority community in the country, accounting for nearly 1% of the population. Notably, the Czech Republic has trained over 200,000 Vietnamese individuals from the previous generation, many of whom have now returned to Vietnam to build and develop their careers, with many achieving success and holding important positions.

The Vietnamese community in the Czech Republic, particularly through the Vietnamese Association, has consistently played a pivotal role in fostering friendship and promoting multifaceted cooperation between the two countries. It is a point of pride that the government and people of the Czech Republic hold the Vietnamese community in high regard, appreciating their friendly, hard-working, and creative nature, and recognizing their significant contributions to the socio-economic development of the locality. This is especially evident in their support for the Czech people during difficult times, such as the COVID-19 pandemic and the recent floods in September 2024. I firmly believe that the friendship between the peoples of the two countries will continue to be passed on to future generations.

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