President Tran Dai Quang and his Czech counterpart Milos Zeman agreed to forge cooperation between Viet Nam and the Czech Republic in various areas during their talks in Hanoi on June 7.

President Tran Dai Quang (R) and his Czech counterpart Milos Zeman (Source: VNA)

At the talks, held following the welcome ceremony for the Czech President, President Quang expressed his belief that Milos Zeman’s State visit to Viet Nam will contribute to deepening the time-honoured friendship and multi-faceted collaboration between the two countries in the new period in a pragmatic manner.

“Viet Nam always attaches importance to consolidating and developing relations with traditional friends, including the Czech Republic,” he affirmed.

The leaders briefed each other on situations in the respective countries and discussed concrete measures to promote the bilateral ties. They also exchanged views on international and regional issues of mutual concern.

Hailing achievements Vietnamese people have recorded in the reform process as well as the country’s increasing role and position in the world arena, President Milos Zeman said the Czech Republic always regards Viet Nam as its traditional partner and wishes to advance the bilateral affiliation across fields.

Host and guest noted with pleasure active developments of the Viet Nam-Czech Republic relations over the past time, particularly in politics and diplomacy, as well as their effective collaboration at international arena.

They held that bilateral economic and trade ties have remained stable with annual two-way trade averaging 250 million USD in recent years.

The two leaders agreed to continue improving the effectiveness of the joint commission on economic cooperation, while strengthening trade and investment promotion, encouraging and backing the business community of both sides to foster their partnership and study each other’s market, especially in areas of the Czech Republic’s strength and Viet Nam’s demand such as infrastructure, food processing, pharmaceuticals, urban planning, public transportation, environmental protection and water resources management.

President Quang thanked the State and people of the Czech Republic for creating favourable conditions for the Vietnamese community in the country to live, work, and integrate into the local society.

The State leader expressed belief that the Vietnamese community in the Czech Republic will continue promoting the role as a bridge for the friendship and cooperation between the two countries.

The two Presidents showed their delight at the close and effective coordination between the two countries at international forums.

President Zeman affirmed that the Czech Republic supports the enhancement of the Viet Nam-EU relations as well as the signing and approval of the Viet Nam-EU free trade agreement, and the EU’s soon recognition of Viet Nam’s full market economy status.

Regarding the East Sea issue, the two leaders stressed the need to settle all disputes through peaceful measures, including diplomatic and legal processes in conformity with international law, especially the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea 1982 (UNCLOS).

Meeting with the press following their talks, President Quang said both sides consented to increase the exchange of all-level delegations and consultations on issues of shared concern.

The Presidents were unanimous on the need for the two countries to improve the efficiency of affiliations in trade and investment and join hands with each other in preparing for the sixth meeting of the Viet Nam-Czech Joint Commission on Economic Cooperation scheduled for 2018 in Hanoi.

They welcomed and pledged to facilitate the Czech investment in Viet Nam in such areas as energy, environment, support industry, infrastructure, manufacturing, medical equipment and food processing.

Host and guest also consented to beef up the partnership in other realms like education-training, science-technology, culture-tourism, health care, environment, employment, national defence and security.

Regarding regional and international issues, President Quang said that the two leaders highlighted the significance of the maintenance of security and peace as well as the promotion of cooperation and development in the world.

President Zeman said that the business community of his country is interested in the Vietnamese market. He stated that his entourage included representatives of 68 enterprises in various sectors, who show their hope to affiliate with Vietnamese peers through specific agreements.

He also revealed that the two leaders discussed and agreed on the opening of a direct air route connecting Prague and Ho Chi Minh City, and the short-term visa exemption for Czech tourists to Viet Nam. The Czech Republic will open a Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City in the coming time.

He also said that he believes this will contribute to boosting the number of Czech tourists to Viet Nam in the future.

(Source: VNA)