Czech Republic is Vietnam’s leading partner in central Europe, says Vice President
VOV.VN - Vietnam attaches importance to strengthening its traditional friendship with the Czech Republic, one of its leading partners in Central and Eastern Europe, said Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan, during her meetings with Czech leaders in Prague.
Xuan, who is making an official visit to the Czech Republic from November 13-16, held a meeting with President Petr Pavel, had talks with Senate President Milos Vystrcil, and met with first Deputy Prime Minister Vit Rakusan.
Xuan thanked the Czech people for their valuable support and assistance to Vietnam during its struggle for national independence and unification, as well as in its current socio-economic development and international integration.
She requested that the Czech Republic help advocate for the remaining EU countries to ratify the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) and urge the European Commission to lift the its “yellow card” on Vietnam’s seafood exports.
She also asked for facilitated visa issuance for Vietnamese citizens studying and traveling in the Czech Republic. She thanked the Czech Parliament and government at all levels for supporting the Vietnamese community in the country.
The Czech leaders for their part agreed that the traditional friendship and long-term cooperation between the Czech Republic and Vietnam are positively developing across various fields. They noted that 2025, marking the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries, presents a valuable opportunity to elevate their bilateral cooperation to a new level.
They affirmed that Vietnam is one of the Czech Republic’s important partners and a potential market in Southeast Asia. They highlighted the growing interest among Czech businesses in expanding their investment and business activities in Vietnam.
The Czech leaders also highly appreciated the role and contributions of the Vietnamese community to the Czech economy, society, and cultural diversity, as well as their role as a bridge fostering friendly relations between the two countries.
Both sides agreed to utilize existing cooperation mechanisms, especially the Vietnam-Czech Intergovernmental Committee on Economic Cooperation, and to encourage agencies and businesses of both countries to continue implementing the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement effectively.
They pledged to enhance cooperation in education and training, science and technology, information and communication, agriculture, culture, tourism, renewable energy, digital transformation, green transition, and the automotive industry.
Both sides also committed to promoting negotiations towards signing agreements on cooperation in education and labour, establishing a cultural center, as well as further coordinating and supporting each other at multilateral forums. They agreed that all disputes and conflicts should be resolved by peaceful means, in line with the United Nations Charter and respect for international law.
During her stay, Vice President Xuan also met with the Deputy Chairman of the Communist Party of Bohemia and Moravia and the Vice President of the Czech-Vietnam Friendship Association. She laid a wreath at the National Memorial, visited and spoke with the staff of the Vietnamese Embassy in the Czech Republic, met with representatives of the Vietnamese community, and attended the 25th anniversary of the Vietnamese Association in the Czech Republic.
