Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son paid an official visit to the Czech Republic on June 2 and 9 at the invitation of Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský. During the visit, Minister Bui Thanh Son met with the President of the Czech Senate Milos Vystricil; talks with Czech Minister of Foreign Affairs Jan Lipavský.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son and President of the Senate of the Czech Republic Milos Vystricil. Photo: VNA
During his meetings with Czech leaders, Minister Bui Thanh Son wished with the Czech Republic to continue promoting cooperation in all fields, especially in trade-investment, science-technology, and education-training. Creation, tourism, people-to-people exchange…
Czech leaders affirmed that Vietnam is the most important partner of the Czech Republic in Southeast Asia; expressed his impression of Vietnam's socio-economic development achievements in recent years; highly appreciate Vietnam's increasingly important position and role.
The two sides are pleased to see that thanks to the positive impact of the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA), trade-investment cooperation between the two countries has become a bright spot with bilateral trade turnover. bilateral relations in 2022 reached 848 million USD, an increase of nearly 15% compared to 2021. The two sides agreed to discuss and soon agree on a new relationship framework to comprehensively promote cooperation between the two countries; effectively take advantage of the opportunities of the EVFTA, creating favorable conditions for the two countries' exports to access each other's markets; strengthen the operational efficiency of the Intergovernmental Committee on Vietnam-Czech economic cooperation and create favorable conditions for businesses of the two countries to connect and learn about the market.
The Czech side positively acknowledged the proposal of Minister Bui Thanh Son to promote other EU countries to soon ratify the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA), the Czech Government supported the European Commission. Europe (EC) soon removed IUU yellow card (illegal, unregulated and unreported fishing) with Vietnam's seafood exports.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son and Minister of Foreign Affairs Jan Lipavsky. Photo: VNA
The two sides also discussed expanding cooperation in the fields of security-defence, education-training, labor, science-technology, culture and tourism.
Regarding international cooperation, the two sides agreed to strengthen close coordination and mutual support at multilateral organizations and forums, especially at the United Nations, Eurasian Cooperation (ASEM) and within the framework of the ASEAN Economic Forum. framework of the ASEAN-European Union Strategic Partnership.
Regarding the East Sea issue, the two sides shared their stance in favor of settling disputes by peaceful means on the basis of international law and the United Nations Charter, and respecting the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. UNCLOS) 1982.
Minister Bui Thanh Son thanked the Czech Government for creating favorable conditions for the Vietnamese community to live and do business stably and successfully integrate in the Czech Republic; believes that the community will continue to actively promote its role as a bridge to develop the friendship and cooperation between the two countries.
On this occasion, Minister Bui Thanh Son cordially invited Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský to pay an official visit to Vietnam. Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský affirmed that he would soon visit Vietnam at a time suitable for both sides.
