Vietnam, Czech Republic agree to foster ties across fields

President Tran Dai Quang and his Czech counterpart Milos Zeman agreed to forge cooperation between Vietnam and the Czech Republic in various areas during their talks in Hanoi on June 7^th.

President Tran Dai Quang (L) and Czech President Milos Zeman review the honour guard at the welcoming ceremony on June 7^th. (Photo: VNA)

At the talks, held following the welcome ceremony for the Czech President, President Quang expressed his belief that Milos Zeman’s State visit to Vietnam will contribute to deepening the time-honoured friendship and multi-faceted collaboration between the two countries in the new period in a pragmatic manner.

“Vietnam always attaches importance to consolidating and developing relations with traditional friends, including the Czech Republic,” he affirmed.

The leaders briefed each other on situations in the respective countries and discussed concrete measures to promote the bilateral ties. They also exchanged views on international and regional issues of mutual concern.

Hailing achievements Vietnamese people have recorded in the reform process as well as the country’s increasing role and position in the world arena, President Milos Zeman said the Czech Republic always regards Vietnam as its traditional partner and wishes to advance the bilateral affiliation across fields.

Host and guest noted with pleasure active developments of the Vietnam-Czech Republic relations over the past time, particularly in politics and diplomacy, as well as their effective collaboration at international arena.

They held that bilateral economic and trade ties have remained stable with annual two-way trade averaging USD 250 million in recent years.

The two leaders agreed to continue improving the effectiveness of the joint commission on economic cooperation, while strengthening trade and investment promotion, encouraging and backing the business community of both sides to foster their partnership and study each other’s market, especially in areas of the Czech Republic’s strength and Vietnam’s demand such as infrastructure, food processing, pharmaceuticals, urban planning, public transportation, environmental protection and water resources management.

President Quang thanked the State and people of the Czech Republic for creating favourable conditions for the Vietnamese community in the country to live, work, and integrate into the local society.

The State leader expressed belief that the Vietnamese community in the Czech Republic will continue promoting the role as a bridge for the friendship and cooperation between the two countries.

The two Presidents showed their delight at the close and effective coordination between the two countries at international forums.

President Zeman affirmed that the Czech Republic supports the enhancement of the Vietnam-EU relations as well as the signing and approval of the Vietnam-EU free trade agreement, and the EU’s soon recognition of Vietnam’s full market economy status.

Regarding the East Sea issue, the two leaders stressed the need to settle all disputes through peaceful measures, including diplomatic and legal processes in conformity with international law, especially the U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea 1982 (UNCLOS).

President Tran Dai Quang (R) and his Czech counterpart Milos Zeman. (Source: VNA)

Meeting with the press following their talks, President Quang said both sides consented to increase the exchange of all-level delegations and consultations on issues of shared concern.

The Presidents were unanimous on the need for the two countries to improve the efficiency of affiliations in trade and investment and join hands with each other in preparing for the sixth meeting of the Vietnam-Czech Joint Commission on Economic Cooperation scheduled for 2018 in Hanoi.

They welcomed and pledged to facilitate the Czech investment in Vietnam in such areas as energy, environment, support industry, infrastructure, manufacturing, medical equipment and food processing.

Host and guest also consented to beef up the partnership in other realms like education-training, science-technology, culture-tourism, health care, environment, employment, national defence and security.

Regarding regional and international issues, President Quang said that the two leaders highlighted the significance of the maintenance of security and peace as well as the promotion of cooperation and development in the world.

President Zeman said that the business community of his country is interested in the Vietnamese market. He stated that his entourage included representatives of 68 enterprises in various sectors, who show their hope to affiliate with Vietnamese peers through specific agreements.

He also revealed that the two leaders discussed and agreed on the opening of a direct air route connecting Prague and Ho Chi Minh City, and the short-term visa exemption for Czech tourists to Vietnam. The Czech Republic will open a Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City in the coming time.

He also said that he believes this will contribute to boosting the number of Czech tourists to Vietnam in the future.

After their talks, the Presidents witnessed the signing of cooperation documents between the two countries, including an agreement on the transfer of sentenced persons and another on combating crimes.

Vietnam and the Czech Republic set up diplomatic ties on February 2^nd, 1950.

With 35 projects worth USD 91.3 million, focusing on real estate, beer, electronic equipment and construction materials, the Czech Republic ranks 42^nd out of 101 countries and territories investing in Vietnam.

Vietnam was among 12 priority markets included in the Czech national export strategy during 2012-2020, which was announced in 2012.

The Czech Republic has been the first Eastern European nation to provide official development assistance (ODA) for Vietnam with about USD 18 million.

More than 60,000 Vietnamese are living in the Czech Republic. On July 3^rd, 2013, the Czech Government appointed a Czech representative of Vietnamese origin to the Council of Ethnic Minorities, thus recognising the Czech Vietnamese community as an ethnic minority group in the country./.

VNF/VNA