Czech Republic lauds Vietnam’s key position in SEA

A foreign ministry delegation led by Deputy Minister Bui Thanh Son paid a working visit to the Czech Republic from April 13-15 during which they held a political consultation with Czech Republic diplomats.

At the meeting, the Czech Republic confirmed its recognition of high importance to developing the time-honoured friendship and comprehensive cooperation with Vietnam, and agreed to bolster coordination with the Southeast Asian nation at international forums, especially at the United Nations and under the ASEM and ASEAN-EU cooperation framework on issues of mutual concern.

Notably, Czech Foreign Minister Petr Drulak revealed that the Parliament of the Czech Republic has finalized its internal procedures and will soon ratify the Vietnam-EU Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA) and confirmed the Czech government’s support for the early completion of negotiations and signing of the Vietnam-EU Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA).

The two sides consented to jointly organize cultural activities in each country to celebrate the 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations (1950-2015).

The Czech Republic will assist Vietnam in launching Vietnam Culture Week on May 13 in Prague.

They noted with satisfaction the growing trade and investment over recent years.  Last year’s two-way trade turnover reached US$294 million, up 23% from a year earlier.

The two sides underlined the need to work hand in hand to realize what was achieved at the fourth session of the Vietnam-Czech Joint Committee on Economic Cooperation held in last May in Hanoi.

The Czech Republic pledged to provide ODA funding for Vietnam’s small-scale projects on environmental protection, adaptation to climate change, biotechnology and agriculture.

Additionally, the two sides were unanimous in strengthening all-level delegation exchange to improve effective and practical cooperation in trade, investment, education- training, defence-security, the environment, the crystal industry, pharmaceuticals, healthcare and local cooperation.

Czech officials also greatly valued the Vietnamese community’s contributions to stimulating socio- economic development, cross-cultural exchanges and stronger trade and investment links between the two nations. They highlighted the Vietnamese community as a model for the development of ethnic minorities in the Czech Republic.

On the East Sea issue, the Czech Republic appreciated the approach of Vietnam and ASEAN in the settlement of disputes through peaceful means, on the basis of respect for international law and voiced support for the regional groping’s central role in Asia Pacific cooperation connectivity.