PM Phuc calls for stronger Vietnam-Czech ties in potential fields hinh anh 1Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc (L) meets with Czech President Milos Zeman in Prague on April 17 (Photo: VNA)

Prague (VNA) – Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc had a meeting with President of the Czech Republic Milos Zeman in Prague on April 17, part of his official visit to the European nation.

PM Phuc affirmed that Vietnam always treasures and wishes to enhance the friendship and multifaceted cooperation with traditional friends in East-Central Europe, and the Czech Republic is a priority among them.

He noted with satisfaction the recent progress in bilateral relations in multiple spheres, adding that the two countries have maintained delegation exchanges at all levels, including a State visit to the Czech Republic by then President Truong Tan Sang in 2015 and a similar trip to Vietnam by President Zeman in 2017.

The Vietnamese Government leader applauded the encouraging developments in bilateral economic, trade and investment partnerships. He called on both sides to promote collaboration in the fields they have potential for such as tourism, air transport, and mining.

He also thanked leaders and all-level authorities of the Czech Republic for creating favourable conditions for Vietnamese people to settle down in the country, thereby helping to bolster the countries’ friendship and cooperation.

[Infographics: Vietnam - Czech Republic friendship and cooperation]

At the meeting, PM Phuc also asked the Czech Republic and President Zeman to support the early signing of the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) and the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement.

For his part, President Zeman affirmed that the Czech Republic attaches importance to the traditional friendship and cooperation with Vietnam.

He appreciated PM Phuc’s visit, voicing his belief that with the nearly-70-year relationship, the large number of Vietnamese who used to study in the Czech Republic, and the community of over 65,000 Vietnamese in the country, bilateral relations boast huge potential for stronger development in the future.

He also expressed his delight at the two sides’ active implementation of the deals signed during his trip to Vietnam in 2017, including the launch of a direct air route linking Hanoi and Prague.

With the signing and ratification of the EVFTA, which the Czech Republic completely supports, the traditional friendship and multifaceted cooperation between the countries will enjoy stronger and more substantive and effective strides in the coming time, the President added.-VNA
VNA