Mr Trong delivered the message during a meeting with Czech President Vaclav Klaus in Prague on April 28, the last day of his visit to the European nation.

He asked the Czech Republic to continue helping Vietnam to establish a comprehensive partnership with the European Union (EU) and prompt the European Commission (EC) to recognise Vietnam as a market economy, which would enable Vietnamese exports to enter the EU market.

He also urged the Czech Republic to keep supporting their Vietnamese community so they can contribute further to developing bilateral relations.

For his part, President Klaus assured his guest that the Czech Republic wants to expand its multilateral cooperation with Vietnam, adding that in the context of the current global economic challenges, both nations need to beef up economic and trade ties in line with their own potentials, strengths and interests.

The president congratulated Vietnam on its accession to the World Trade Oragnisation (WTO) as well as its growing role in Southeast Asia.

He spoke highly of the contributions made by the Vietnamese community in the Czech Republic to promoting the relationship between the two countries.

Earlier, Chairman Trong met with Vice President of the Czech Senate, Jiri Liska to discuss ways of boosting exchanges and cooperation between the two parliaments, including holding regular visits and sharing both information and operational experiences.

Both leaders agreed to increase the supervision of the implementation of previously signed agreements and back the two governments’ efforts to strengthen their economies and trade and investment relations, particularly in developing Vietnam’s infrastructure, transport network and particularly in agricultural mechanical engineering.

Also on April 28, Mr Trong met with Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek who said that his country will maintain the provision of ODA to Vietnam.

PM Topolanek said that in its capacity as the EU presidency, the republic pays special attention to strengthening the EU-ASEAN relations.

He expressed his deep sympathy with the Vietnamese guest workers who lost their jobs in the Czech and said that the two countries should work closely to help these workers get steady jobs.

Mr Trong confirmed that Vietnam attaches great importance to expanding its relations with the Czech Republic bilaterally and multilaterally. He said his visit aimed to boost the traditional relations between the two countries and step up the implementation of signed agreements, particularly those in economics and trade.

He thanked the Czech Republic for supporting Vietnam in international forums and granting ODA to the country. He said the two countries should further exchange experiences and cooperate with each other to minimise the impact of the global financial crunch and ensure sustainable development.

Later, Chairman Trong left Prague for Belarus, the last leg of his European tour beginning on April 22.