With this decision to upgrade relations, the Czech Republic becomes the first Central and Eastern European country in the European Union (EU) to have a Strategic Partnership with Vietnam.
According to the VNA special correspondent, at the invitation of Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh paid an official visit to the Czech Republic from January 18-20.
On the morning of January 20th, following the solemn official welcoming ceremony at the Prime Minister's Office, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh held a private meeting and talks with Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala.
During the talks, Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala warmly welcomed Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and the high-level Vietnamese delegation, emphasizing that Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh's visit marked a new historical milestone in bilateral relations: the upgrading of relations to a Strategic Partnership on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations (1950-2025). This opens a new chapter in the traditionally good relationship between Vietnam and the Czech Republic, with Vietnam becoming the first Southeast Asian country to be a strategic partner of the Czech Republic, contributing to strengthening the relationship between the two countries in a deeper, more substantive, and effective way; affirming that Vietnam is the most important and closest country to the Czech Republic in Asia.
Prime Minister Petr Fiala expressed his admiration and respect for Vietnam's socio-economic development achievements and shared his special feelings and positive impressions about his official visit to Vietnam in 2023.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh expressed his pleasure at returning to the Czech Republic and said that each time he visits, he feels the historical and cultural essence of Prague, the diamond of European capitals.
The Prime Minister thanked Prime Minister Petr Fiala and the Czech Government for the warm, respectful, and cordial welcome extended to the high-level Vietnamese Government delegation, expressing his pleasure at the socio-economic achievements of the Czech Republic and his confidence that the Czech Republic will continue to develop even more strongly in the future.
The Prime Minister respectfully conveyed the greetings of General Secretary To Lam, President Luong Cuong, and National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man to Prime Minister Petr Fiala and senior Czech leaders; emphasizing that the Vietnamese people always remember the sincere, heartfelt, selfless, and pure assistance that the Czech Republic has given to Vietnam in the past struggle for national liberation, as well as in the current building and development of the country.
The Prime Minister affirmed that Vietnam always values and wishes to strengthen relations with the Czech Republic, a traditional friend and a top priority partner of Vietnam in Central and Eastern Europe.
In an atmosphere of trust and frankness, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Prime Minister Petr Fiala had a comprehensive exchange on the socio-economic situation of each country, bilateral cooperation, and regional and international issues of mutual concern, and agreed that there is still much room for further development of relations between the two countries.
The two leaders expressed pleasure at the positive developments in relations between the two countries, particularly in political-diplomatic, security-defense, trade-investment, and education areas.
Both sides agreed to strengthen exchanges of delegations at all levels, especially at the high level, through Party, State, Government, and Parliament channels.
The two leaders agreed to declare the upgrading of Vietnam-Czech Republic relations to a Strategic Partnership and to promptly develop an Action Program to implement the Vietnam-Czech Republic Strategic Partnership framework in a deeper, more practical way, in line with the cooperation framework between the two countries in the new context.
With this decision, the Czech Republic becomes the first Central and Eastern European country within the European Union (EU) to have a Strategic Partnership with Vietnam.
Both sides agreed to strengthen cooperation within the framework of the newly established Strategic Partnership, including agreements already signed between the two countries, to enhance cooperation in traditional areas such as defense and security, trade and investment, science and technology, education and training, culture and tourism, and people-to-people exchanges, while expanding cooperation into areas that create new growth drivers such as renewable energy, innovation, digital transformation, green and circular economy, information technology, healthcare, mining, energy, food security, etc.; affirming the commitment of the high-level leaders of both countries to further strengthen cooperation in areas where both sides have strengths and needs with the spirit of "saying is doing, fulfilling commitments," for the benefit of the people of both countries, and for peace, stability and sustainable development in each region and the world.
Regarding trade and investment, both sides agreed to continue implementing existing economic cooperation mechanisms; encourage Czech businesses to increase investment in Vietnam, especially in areas where the Czech Republic has strengths such as automotive supporting industries, renewable energy, machinery manufacturing, mining and mineral processing, chemicals, and food processing; and coordinate the effective implementation of the Vietnam-EU Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA).
The Prime Minister requested the Czech Government to support the remaining EU countries in ratifying the Vietnam-EU Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) as soon as possible, and to support the European Commission's (EC) early removal of the IUU "yellow card" on Vietnamese seafood exports, taking into account Vietnam's serious efforts in fully implementing the EC's recommendations on sustainable fisheries development, as well as the rights of Czech and EU consumers. Both sides agreed to support and facilitate each other's access to the markets of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the EU.
Prime Minister Petr Fiala happily noted that the traditional friendship between Vietnam and the Czech Republic, with its 75-year history, has achieved positive results; congratulated Vietnam on its socio-economic development achievements, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic; and assessed Vietnam as one of the most promising markets for the Czech Republic in the Asia-Pacific region, with an increasing number of Czech businesses interested in expanding investment and business in Vietnam.
Prime Minister Petr Fiala agreed that both sides need to strengthen cooperation in the fields of food industry, manufacturing, mining and mineral processing, etc.; and agreed with Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh's proposal to soon open direct flights between the two countries and via the Czech Republic to Central and Eastern Europe to enhance people-to-people exchanges and tourism.
Prime Minister Petr Fiala highly appreciated Vietnam's decision to waive visa requirements for Czech citizens in 2025, considering it a boost to strengthen tourism cooperation and people-to-people exchanges.
Prime Minister Petr Fiala requested the Vietnamese government's support in establishing a Czech cultural center in Vietnam, considering it an important channel for enhancing understanding between the people of the two countries.
The two Prime Ministers requested that the relevant ministries and agencies of both countries coordinate to thoroughly prepare for the 8th session of the Intergovernmental Committee on Economic Cooperation.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh thanked Prime Minister Petr Fiala and the Czech Government for their attention and requested continued efforts to create favorable conditions for the Vietnamese community in the Czech Republic to live, work, and study stably in the Czech Republic, contributing to building a bridge of friendship and cooperation between the two nations.
The Czech Prime Minister highly appreciated the role of the Vietnamese community in the Czech Republic, considering it an important bridge between the two countries; he affirmed his agreement with Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh's proposal and pledged to continue creating favorable conditions for the Vietnamese community to live and work in the Czech Republic.
The two leaders noted that in a world of change and challenges, they share a common understanding of people-to-people, global, and inclusive approaches, and agreed that the two countries need to strengthen solidarity.
Both sides affirmed their commitment to continued close coordination and mutual support in multilateral forums and international organizations, contributing to ensuring peace, security, cooperation, and development in the region and the world.
Discussing regional and international issues of common concern, including the South China Sea issue, both sides agreed that disputes and conflicts around the world should be resolved peacefully, based on the fundamental principles of the United Nations Charter and international law, especially the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), contributing to maintaining peace, stability, security, safety, and freedom of navigation and overflight in regions and around the world, for global cooperation and common prosperity.
The two leaders highly appreciated the importance of defense and security cooperation and agreed to promote cooperation on peacekeeping operations within the framework of the United Nations, military trade, defense industry, pilot training; strengthen exchanges of delegations to share experiences and coordinate in combating crime, especially organized crime, transnational crime, high-tech crime, illegal migration, and drug trafficking.
On this occasion, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh respectfully invited Prime Minister Petr Fiala to visit Vietnam again soon. Prime Minister Petr Fiala happily accepted the invitation.
Following the talks, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Prime Minister Petr Fiala witnessed the signing ceremony of several cooperation documents between the two countries in the fields of education and aviation.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Prime Minister Petr Fiala held a joint press conference to announce the results of their talks.
Speaking before officials and the press from both countries, Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala stated that the visit of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, his wife, and the high-level Vietnamese delegation to the Czech Republic was of great significance, coinciding with the 75th anniversary of bilateral relations. Both sides held open and cordial talks and agreed to upgrade bilateral relations to a Strategic Partnership, thereby demonstrating the Czech Republic's high regard for Vietnam's position and role in the region, recognizing it as the Czech Republic's most important partner in Southeast Asia.
Believing that the potential for cooperation between the two countries is still very great, Prime Minister Petr Fiala expressed confidence that both sides will seize the opportunity and strive to promote cooperation through specific programs and projects, so that bilateral relations will continue to develop.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh once again expressed his gratitude for the warm, sincere, and thoughtful welcome extended by Prime Minister Petr Fiala and the Government and people of the Czech Republic to Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and the Vietnamese delegation.
According to Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, the world is undergoing a process of diversification, greening, and digitalization, and is facing many challenges such as climate change, population aging, strategic competition, and conflict… These are issues that affect the entire population, comprehensively, and globally, so a people-to-people, comprehensive, and global approach is necessary.
Both sides must revitalize traditional areas of cooperation; promote new areas of cooperation, for the benefit of both countries, their peoples, and for peace, cooperation, and development in the region and the world.
Regarding the results of the talks between the two sides, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh stated that despite the short timeframe, the extensive work, the broad scope of cooperation, and the diverse range of stakeholders, Vietnam will strive to realize this cooperation framework for the benefit of both nations and for peace, cooperation, and development in the region and the world, with the motto "what is said is done, commitments are effectively implemented," and "prioritizing time, intellect, and decisiveness" to make the set goals a reality.
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