Joint Statement on Upgrading Relations to Strategic Partnership between Vietnam and the Czech Republic

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala issued a Joint Statement on upgrading relations to a Strategic Partnership between the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the Czech Republic.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala announced the results of their talks. (Photo: Duong Giang/VNA)

Joint Statement on Upgrading Relations to Strategic Partnership between the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the Czech Republic

According to a special correspondent of the Vietnam News Agency, at the end of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh's official visit to the Czech Republic from January 18-20, the leaders of the two countries issued a Joint Statement on upgrading relations to a Strategic Partnership between the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the Czech Republic.

We are pleased to present the full text of the joint statement.

Since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1950, Vietnam and the Czech Republic have built and developed a traditional friendship and multifaceted cooperation on the basis of trust, equality, and mutual respect for the benefit of the people of the two countries.

Based on the outstanding achievements of bilateral relations in all fields over the past 75 years, with open cooperation potential and firm belief in the bright future of bilateral relations, in order to meet the aspirations of the people of the two countries, Mr. Pham Minh Chinh, Prime Minister of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and Mr. Petr Fiala, Prime Minister of the Czech Republic agreed to issue a Joint Statement upgrading Vietnam-Czech relations to "Strategic Partnership" during the official visit to the Czech Republic by the Prime Minister of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam from January 18-20, 2025.

The new partnership will elevate bilateral relations to new heights at both bilateral and multilateral levels. The upgraded framework also consolidates and enhances the effectiveness of existing bilateral cooperation mechanisms and promotes the formation of new ones.

The Vietnam-Czech Republic relationship is firmly built on common principles, common interests and compliance with the United Nations Charter and the common principles agreed upon in the Framework Agreement on Comprehensive Partnership and Cooperation between the European Union and its member states and Vietnam.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh holds talks with Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala. (Photo: Duong Giang/VNA)

These principles include: respect for the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of all states and their political systems; non-interference in each other's internal affairs; respect for and mutual benefit; commitment to promoting global free trade, the advancement of international law and multilateralism; and the promotion of peace, security and prosperity in accordance with the United Nations Charter.

Within the framework of the Strategic Partnership, Vietnam and the Czech Republic will continue to deepen cooperation in the following areas to ensure the practical interests of the people of the two countries, contributing to peace, stability, cooperation and prosperity in both regions and the world.

Strengthening political cooperation and diplomatic relations

The two sides pledged to promote high-level visits and dialogues between Vietnam and the Czech Republic, and organize regular visits and dialogues between ministers and senior officials of the two sides.

The two sides wish to further strengthen relations through parliamentary and party channels by promoting dialogue, exchanges and discussions on priority areas as well as practical experiences of each side.

Within this new framework, the two sides pledged to strengthen the political consultation mechanism at the ministerial leadership level, expand policy consultations, dialogues and exchanges between the Departments and Institutes of the two Foreign Ministries.

In addition, the two sides considered establishing a Strategic Dialogue mechanism on diplomacy, defense and security at the Deputy Ministerial level chaired by the two countries' Foreign Ministries and with the participation of relevant ministries and sectors.

Strengthening defense and security cooperation

The two sides expressed their willingness to promote delegation exchanges at all levels to enhance bilateral cooperation in the fields of defense and security, increase information exchange on strategic defense and security issues, expand cooperation in the defense industry, personnel exchange, and training.

The two sides also wish to strengthen cooperation between security forces and police.

The law enforcement agencies of the two countries will promote the exchange of information, experience and coordination in preventing and combating transnational organized crime, especially cybercrime, drug crime and emerging crimes that affect the environment and sustainable development, in accordance with the 2017 Agreement on Cooperation in Crime Prevention and Control and relevant laws and obligations.

Strengthening economic, trade and investment relations

Economic cooperation is identified as one of the important pillars of bilateral relations. Based on the Economic Cooperation Agreement between the Government of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the Government of the Czech Republic, the two sides committed to enhancing the role and effectiveness of the Vietnam-Czech Intergovernmental Committee on Economic Cooperation co-chaired by the Ministry of Industry and Trade of Vietnam and the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Czech Republic.

The two sides will encourage the establishment of sectoral sub-committees within the Intergovernmental Committee to review and evaluate the implementation of existing agreements and propose measures to exploit opportunities, create breakthroughs in trade, investment and industrial cooperation, and aim for bilateral trade turnover commensurate with the Strategic Partnership.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh attends the Vietnam-Czech Business Forum. (Photo: Duong Giang/VNA)

The two sides are willing to facilitate businesses and investors operating in each other's markets through cooperation and support of trade promotion activities.

The two sides are also willing to enhance economic, trade and investment cooperation in areas such as infrastructure development, renewable energy, green technology, pharmaceuticals, mineral exploitation and processing, mechanics, specialized machinery and the automobile industry.

The two sides stressed the importance of an open, fair, transparent and non-discriminatory trade and investment environment based on international rules. They will take advantage of opportunities within the framework of the Vietnam-EU partnership, coordinate to actively and effectively implement the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA), and encourage the completion of the ratification and implementation of the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA).

The two sides will support each other in promoting economic cooperation and improving access to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and EU markets.

The two sides wish to enhance agricultural cooperation and exchange information on regulations, standards and technical requirements related to quality control and food safety in the fields of agriculture, forestry and fisheries; cooperate in building direct supply chains for agricultural products between the two countries; build common models for applying technology in agricultural production; promote research cooperation and exchange of plant varieties, livestock, biotechnology and animal feed production.

Vietnamese community in Czech Republic

The two sides will coordinate more closely to facilitate the integration of the Vietnamese community in the Czech Republic, helping them continue to make positive contributions to the traditional friendship and multifaceted cooperation between the two countries.

Education, training, science, technology, information and communication

The two sides affirmed their commitment to signing and implementing the Cooperation Agreement on education, enhancing direct cooperation between universities and research institutes of each country in areas where Vietnam and the Czech Republic have strengths.

The two sides will promote cooperation in traditional fields such as nanotechnology, biotechnology and medicine, environmental technology, technology in agriculture and aquaculture, information and communication technology, and expand cooperation to mechanical engineering and mining (research, exploitation, refining and quality assessment of rare earths...).

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala witnessed the signing of an agreement between the two governments on cooperation in the field of education. (Photo: Duong Giang/VNA)

The two sides will strengthen cooperation in science, research and innovation. The two sides will promote cooperation in the fields of digital economy, digital transformation, information security, artificial intelligence and cyber security.

The two sides will also promote cooperation between universities, research institutes and enterprises in research and development of digital transformation products, solutions and new technologies.

The two sides affirmed their commitment to developing and strengthening measures to promote security and integrity in research, in accordance with their respective laws, to prevent third parties from exploiting the results of joint research.

Environment, natural resources and health

The two sides are willing to strengthen cooperation and share technology and experience in the fields of circular economy, waste management, water treatment, clean water supply and rural environmental sanitation, transfer of advanced wastewater treatment technology, as well as promote cooperation in mineral exploitation, rare earth metal exploitation and energy conversion.

The two sides will consider expanding cooperation in medical equipment production, investment and technology transfer to produce specialized and rare drugs.

Tourism

The two sides expressed their willingness to encourage airlines to cooperate and study the opening of direct flights to enhance cultural exchange, transportation and connection between the people of the two countries.

The two sides will create the most favorable conditions to promote tourism. The two countries will also promote cooperation in sharing experiences, promoting tourism and developing human resources in the tourism industry.

Culture

The two sides pledged to create conditions to promote mutual understanding between the peoples of the two countries. They encouraged the building of networks to strengthen links and cooperation in the fields of arts and culture.

The two sides will support the establishment and operation of the Vietnamese Cultural Center in Prague and the Czech Cultural Center in Hanoi built by the two governments.

The two sides will work together to promote cultural cooperation in many fields, including increasing direct contact between cultural agencies to enhance understanding of each other's cultures.

Skilled labor

The two sides will consider more effective cooperation in the field of skilled labor. The Vietnamese side proposed that the Czech side consider creating favorable conditions for sending workers from Vietnam to the Czech Republic.

Consideration of this facilitation for skilled workers will depend on the Vietnamese side providing appropriate security guarantees and accepting back its citizens.

People-to-people exchange

The two sides are willing to enhance cooperation between local authorities, social and professional organizations to exploit complementary strengths, promote connectivity in areas such as trade, investment, education and cultural exchange, in order to bring practical benefits and strengthen friendship between Vietnam and the Czech Republic.

Cooperation in multilateral forums

The two sides are willing to enhance the exchange of views, expand and deepen cooperation, commit to closely coordinating positions and considering mutual support at international organizations and regional and multilateral forums, especially the United Nations, WTO, ASEAN-EU, ASEM and OECD, among other frameworks.

The two sides will strengthen consultations, coordinate positions on regional and international issues, coordinate to address traditional and non-traditional security challenges, including epidemics, climate change, terrorism, food security, energy and water resources, and coordinate to promote trade liberalization and regional economic integration.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh held a meeting with Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala. (Photo: Duong Giang/VNA)

Vietnam and the Czech Republic support multilateralism and full respect for and compliance with international law, resolving disputes by peaceful means in accordance with international law, especially the United Nations Charter, without using or threatening to use force.

The two sides emphasized the importance of maintaining peace, stability, ensuring security, safety and freedom of navigation, aviation, unimpeded trade, and ensuring the rule of law at sea in accordance with international law, especially the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS 1982).

On the issue of Ukraine, the two sides stressed the need to establish a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in accordance with the United Nations Charter and international law.

Based on the content of the Joint Statement, the Foreign Ministers of the two countries will be responsible for coordinating with relevant ministries and branches to develop an action plan as soon as possible to implement the above-mentioned goals.

This document was published on January 20, 2025, including versions in 3 languages: English, Vietnamese and Czech./.

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