Building upon the outstanding achievements of bilateral relations in all fields over the past 75 years, with vast potential for cooperation and firm confidence in the bright future of bilateral relations, and in order to fulfill the aspirations of the people of both 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 Declaration upgrading Vietnam-Czech Republic relations to a "Strategic Partnership" during the official visit of the Prime Minister of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam to the Czech Republic from January 18-20, 2025.
The new partnership will elevate bilateral relations to a new level on both bilateral and multilateral levels. This upgraded framework will also strengthen and enhance the effectiveness of existing bilateral cooperation mechanisms, and promote the formation of new ones.
The relationship between Vietnam and the Czech Republic is firmly built on shared principles, common interests, and adherence to the United Nations Charter, as well as the general principles agreed upon in the Framework Agreement on Comprehensive Partnership and Cooperation between the European Union and its member states and Vietnam. 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 safeguarding mutual interests; commitment to promoting global free trade, the progress of international law, and multilateralism; and promoting 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 further deepen cooperation in the following areas to ensure the practical interests of the people of both countries, contributing to peace, stability, cooperation and prosperity in both regions and the world.
ENHANCE POLITICAL COOPERATION AND DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS
Both sides committed to promoting high-level visits and dialogue between Vietnam and the Czech Republic, and organizing regular visits and dialogues between ministers and senior officials from both sides.
Both sides wish to further strengthen relations through parliamentary and party channels by promoting dialogue, exchange, and discussion on priority areas and best practices of each side.
Within this new framework, both sides committed to strengthening the political consultation mechanism at the ministerial leadership level, expanding policy consultations, dialogues, and exchanges between departments and institutes of the two countries' Ministries of Foreign Affairs. In addition, both sides considered establishing a Strategic Dialogue mechanism on diplomacy, defense, and security at the Deputy Minister level, chaired by the two Ministries of Foreign Affairs and involving relevant ministries and agencies.
ENHANCE DEFENSE AND SECURITY COOPERATION
Both sides expressed their readiness to promote exchanges of delegations at all levels to strengthen bilateral cooperation in the field of defense and security, enhance information exchange on strategic defense and security issues, expand cooperation in the defense industry, and exchange personnel and training.
Both sides also expressed a desire to strengthen cooperation between security and police forces. Law enforcement agencies of both countries will enhance the exchange of information, experience, and coordination in preventing and combating transnational organized crime, particularly cybercrime, drug trafficking, and emerging crimes that impact the environment and sustainable development, in accordance with the 2017 Cooperation Agreement on Crime Prevention and related laws and obligations.
STRENGTHEN ECONOMIC, TRADE AND INVESTMENT RELATIONS
Economic cooperation is identified as one of the key 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, both sides are committed to strengthening the role and effectiveness of the Vietnam-Czech Intergovernmental Committee on Economic Cooperation, co-chaired by the Vietnamese Ministry of Industry and Trade and the Czech Ministry of Industry and Trade. Both sides will encourage the establishment of sectoral subcommittees within the Intergovernmental Committee to review and assess the implementation of existing agreements and propose measures to exploit opportunities and create breakthroughs in trade, investment, and industrial cooperation, aiming for bilateral trade turnover commensurate with the Strategic Partnership.
Both sides are ready to facilitate the operation of businesses and investors in each other's markets through cooperation and support for trade promotion activities. They are also ready to strengthen economic, trade, and investment cooperation in areas such as infrastructure development, renewable energy, green technology, pharmaceuticals, mining and mineral processing, mechanical engineering, specialized machinery, and the automotive industry.
Both sides emphasized the importance of an open, fair, transparent, and non-discriminatory trade and investment environment based on international rules. They will leverage opportunities within the framework of the Vietnam-EU partnership, actively and effectively implement the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA), and encourage the completion of ratification and implementation of the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA). Both sides will support each other in promoting economic cooperation and improving access to ASEAN and EU markets.
Both sides wish to strengthen agricultural cooperation and exchange information on regulations, standards, and technical requirements related to quality control and food safety in the agricultural, forestry, and fisheries sectors; cooperate in building direct agricultural supply chains between the two countries; develop joint models for applying technology in agricultural production; and promote cooperation in research and exchange of plant and animal breeds, biotechnology, and animal feed production.
VIETNAMESE COMMUNITY IN CZECH REPUBLIC
Both sides will cooperate 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
Both sides affirmed their commitment to signing and implementing the Agreement on Cooperation in the field of education, and strengthening direct cooperation between universities and research institutes of each country in areas where Vietnam and the Czech Republic have strengths.
The two sides will strengthen cooperation in traditional fields such as nanotechnology, biotechnology and medicine, environmental technology, technology in agriculture and fisheries, information and communication technology, and expand cooperation into mechanical engineering and mining (research, exploitation, refining and quality assessment of rare earth elements...).
The two sides will strengthen cooperation in science, research, and innovation. They will promote cooperation in the fields of digital economy, digital transformation, information security, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity. They will also foster collaboration between universities, research institutes, and businesses in the research and development of digital transformation products, solutions, and new technologies.
Both sides affirmed their commitment to developing and strengthening measures to promote security and integrity in research, in accordance with the laws of both sides, to prevent third parties from exploiting joint research results.
ENVIRONMENT, NATURAL RESOURCES AND HEALTH
Both sides are ready to strengthen cooperation and share technology and experience in the fields of circular economy, waste management, water treatment, clean water supply and rural sanitation, transfer of advanced wastewater treatment technology, as well as promote cooperation in mineral exploitation, rare earth metal mining and energy conversion.
The two sides will consider expanding cooperation in the production of medical equipment, investment, and technology transfer for the production of specialized and rare drugs.
TOURISM
Both sides expressed their readiness to encourage airlines to cooperate and explore the possibility of opening direct flights to enhance cultural exchange, transportation, and connectivity between the people of the two countries. They will create the most favorable conditions to promote tourism. The two countries will also strengthen cooperation in sharing experiences, promoting tourism, and developing human resources in the tourism industry.
CULTURE
Both sides committed to facilitating mutual understanding between the peoples of the two countries. They encouraged the development of networks to strengthen links and cooperation in the arts and culture. They will support the establishment and operation of the Vietnamese Cultural Center in Prague and the Czech Cultural Center in Hanoi, both built by the governments of the two countries. They will also coordinate efforts to promote cultural cooperation in various fields, including increasing direct contact between cultural institutions to enhance understanding of each other's cultures.
HIGHLY SKILLED WORKERS
Both sides will consider more effective cooperation in the field of skilled labor. The Vietnamese side proposed that the Czech side consider facilitating the entry of Vietnamese workers into the Czech Republic. This facilitation for skilled workers will depend on Vietnam providing appropriate security guarantees and the repatriation of its citizens.
PEOPLE-TO-PEOPLE EXCHANGE
Both sides are ready to strengthen cooperation between local governments, social and professional organizations to leverage complementary strengths, promote connectivity in areas such as trade, investment, education and cultural exchange, in order to bring practical benefits and enhance friendship between Vietnam and the Czech Republic.
COLLABORATION IN MULTILATERAL FORUMS
Both sides are ready to enhance the exchange of views, expand and deepen cooperation, and commit to closely coordinating positions and considering mutual support in international organizations and regional and multilateral forums, especially the United Nations, WTO, ASEAN-EU, ASEM and OECD, and other frameworks. Both sides will strengthen consultations and coordinate positions on regional and international issues, work together to address traditional and non-traditional security challenges, including epidemics, climate change, terrorism, food security, energy and water resources, and jointly promote trade liberalization and regional economic integration.
Vietnam and the Czech Republic support multilateralism and the full respect for and adherence to international law, resolving disputes peacefully in accordance with international law, especially the United Nations Charter, without the use or threat of force. Both sides emphasize the importance of maintaining peace and stability, ensuring security, safety, and freedom of navigation, overflight, and trade without hindrance, and guaranteeing the rule of law at sea in accordance with international law, particularly the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS 1982).
Regarding the issue of Ukraine, both sides emphasized 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 agencies to develop an action plan as soon as possible to achieve the above objectives.
Source: https://kinhtedothi.vn/viet-nam-va-sec-nang-cap-quan-he-len-doi-tac-chien-luoc.html
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