PM Pham Minh Chinh begins Czech Republic visit
VOV.VN - Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, along with his spouse and other Vietnamese officials, left Warsaw, Poland, on January 18 for Prague, beginning a three-day official visit to the Czech Republic at the invitation of Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala.
The relationship between Vietnam and the Czech Republic has developed positively for the past 75 years through reciprocal visit exchanges, close coordination at multilateral forums, and implementation of cooperation mechanisms. The two countries have signed and implemented approximately 50 bilateral cooperation agreements and treaties.
The Czech Republic considers Vietnam a leading partner and a gateway connecting the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) with Europe, as well as a priority in its Indo-Pacific strategy. Bilateral cooperation have been effectively strengthened across various fields, most notably in politics, diplomacy, trade, investment, energy, and innovation.
The EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) has been delivering tangible economic, trade, and investment benefits for both Vietnam and the Czech Republic. According to Czech statistics, two-way trade turnover reached US$2.9 billion in 2023, an increase of 19% compared to 2022, and is projected to hit US$3.8 billion in 2024, up 28% from 2023.
The Czech Republic was also the first EU member state to ratify the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA). Currently, it has 41 direct investment projects in Vietnam, with a total registered capital of US$92.39 million. Notable projects include the SKODA automobile manufacturing plant in Quang Ninh and the Mong Duong 2 thermal power plant.
Both countries see significant potential to expand cooperation into other areas, such as green transition, digital transformation, renewable energy, and mining.
Chinh’s visit to the Czech Republic holds significant importance, as it coincides with the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries. It marks the first visit to the Czech Republic by a Vietnamese Prime Minister since the COVID-19 pandemic and is also the first visit by a foreign leader to the European country in the New Year 2025. It also kick-starts a series of events in celebration of 75 years of diplomatic ties.
Building on the achievements and the positive momentum in bilateral relations in recent years, it is anticipated that the two PMs will announce the elevation of their bilateral relationship to a strategic partnership during this visit. This milestone will usher in a new chapter in the traditional friendship and multifaceted cooperation between the two countries.
As part of the visit, the two sides are expected to sign several agreements to promote bilateral cooperation in education, training, and sports. They will also discuss the possibility of establishing direct flights between the two countries and opening cultural centers in each nation to enhance trade, investment, tourism, and people-to-people exchanges.
