Vietnam, Czech Republic issue joint statement

Vietnam and the Czech Republic issued a joint statement during the visit to the European country by Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc on April 16-17 at the invitation of his Czech counterpart Andrej Babis.

At the talks between Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and Prime Minister Andrej Babis. (Photo: VNA)

The two PM held talks to inform each other about the political and economic situations in their respective countries as well as their priorities in foreign policy.

They also discussed measures to boost bilateral relations as well as regional and international issues of mutual concerns.

PM Phuc affirmed that Vietnam attaches great importance to developing the traditional friendship with countries in Central Europe, especially the Czech Republic, and recognised the achievements the Czech Republic has gained on the path of national development.

Meanwhile, PM Andrej Babis highly valued Vietnam’s accomplishments in economic development and international integration and reiterated the Czech Republic’s strong desire to promote friendly and win-win relations with Vietnam.

The two sides agreed to work closely together in celebration of the 70th founding anniversary of diplomatic ties (1950-2020) while maintaining high-level delegation exchanges between ministries, departments and localities to deepen bilateral cooperation.

The two PMs expressed their satisfaction over the growth in bilateral trade and affirmed they would enhance cooperation to improve trade balance.

They highlighted the crucial role of the Vietnam-Czech Republic joint commission on economic cooperation in tapping economic, trade and investment cooperation opportunities between the two countries, and agreed to carefully prepare for the seventh session of the commission which will take place in Prague in 2020.

The Czech Republic agreed to support the early signing of the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) and the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA).

The two sides concurred that these agreements will help strengthen relations between Vietnam and the EU and the Czech Republic in particular.

The PMs said they will urge Vietnamese and Czech ministries, departments and partners to step up collaboration in agriculture, science-technology, environment, climate change adaptation, energy, education-training, and human resources development as well as culture, tourism, justice and law.

They welcomed the signing of a memorandum of understanding on cooperation in geology and mining.

The two sides spoke highly of their sound bilateral relations in defence and security, and agreed to boost cooperation in this field.

The PMs suggested opening a direct air route between the two countries soon, which will help promote tourism, stressing that the early signing of an agreement on air transport between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the EU will create new opportunities for the two sides’ airlines and passengers.

The two sides expressed their strong support for multilateralism and multilateral trade, agreeing to strengthen coordination at regional and international forums and organisations, especially the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) Forum.

They emphasised the importance of maintaining peace and stability, promoting security, safety and freedom of aviation and navigation in the East Sea, and addressing disputes via peaceful means and in line with international law, particularly the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

PM Phuc thanked the Czech Republic for supporting the overseas Vietnamese community in the European country, while PM Babis highly appreciated the significant contributions of the Vietnamese community in the Czech Republic to promoting the bilateral friendship.

The PMs said they will take a look at issues related to entry and exit procedures between the two countries.

The two sides expressed their satisfaction over the outcomes of the visit to the Czech Republic by PM Phuc, considering this an important political event to boost bilateral cooperation.

On the occasion, PM Phuc invited his Czech counterpart to visit Vietnam, which was accepted.

During his trip to the Czech Republic, PM Phuc also met with President Miloz Zeman and Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies Radek Vondracek.

He also attended the Czech Republic – Vietnam Business Forum and met with representatives of the Vietnamese community in the host country./.

VNF/VNA