A delegation led by Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies of the Czech Parliament Lubomir Zaoralek has visited Vietnam at the invitation of National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Van An.

At the reception for Mr Lubomir on February 27, State President Tran Duc Luong said Vietnam wants to maintain and develop its traditional friendship and comprehensive co-operation with the Czech Republic. Mr Luong also briefed the guest about the country’s socio-economic development achievements, and consistent external relations policies in its renovation and international integration process.

The two sides expressed strong determination to continue developing bilateral relations of co-operation in the areas of economics, trade, investment, education and training, science and technology, culture and tourism.

Mr Luong said Vietnam needs equipment, materials and technology from developed countries and hoped that the Czech Government and training agencies will help Vietnam train human resources during the current process of national industrialisation and modernisation.

In addition, he said, the Vietnamese community living in the Czech Republic as well as Czech experts who lived and worked in Vietnam can play an active role in promoting bilateral relations in various fields, including politics, economics, trade and investment.

President Luong also asked Mr Lubomir to convey his official invitation to the President of the Czech Republic to visit Vietnam.

The Czech parliament speaker was happy to note that both the Czech Republic and Vietnam are committed to developing their traditional relationship. He also spoke highly of Vietnam’s positive changes in socio-economic aspects over the past time, as well as in building a law-governed state with the national assembly playing a more and more important role in improving legal systems and supervising the activities of State agencies.

Earlier the same day, National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Van An held talks with Mr Zaoralek, affirming that Vietnam wants to further strengthen its friendship and co-operation with the Czech Republic.

Chairman An said it is essential for Vietnam to co-operate with the Czech Republic before progress is made in these fields because they are important for the country and it is only a matter of time.

For his part, the Czech parliament speaker shared his views with Mr An and said the Czech Republic has advantages in certain fields such as energy and education, from which Vietnam can seek co-operation opportunities.

Mr Zaoralek also praised Vietnam’s past achievements and expressed his belief that with its current renewal process, the country will gain greater achievements and create favourable conditions for boosting relations between the two countries.

At noon, Mr An hosted a banquet in honour of the Czech parliament speaker and his entourage.