A solemn reception for the visiting Vietnamese NA delegation was held on the afternoon of April 12 at the Czech Senate headquarters. After the reception, the Vietnamese top legislator and the Czech Senate President held talks.
At the talks, Chairwoman Ngan reviewed remarkable milestones in the traditional relations and multifaceted cooperation between Vietnam and Czech over the past 67 years. She stressed that Vietnam always treasures its relations with the Czech Republic in particular and other traditional Central Eastern European countries in general. Vietnam hopes to further and effectively boost cooperation with the Czech Republic at international forums, especially at the UN, ASEM, ASEAN-EU forums. Vietnam promised to support and is ready to back the Czech Republic in enhancing relations with ASEAN and its members. Ms. Ngan proposed the Czech Republic to support Vietnam in running for a non-permanent membership of the UN Security Council for the 2020-2021 term.
At the talks with the President of the Czech Senate
She welcomed Czech businesses to Vietnam and affirmed that Vietnam is willing to provide favorable conditions for Czech businesses to survey and invest in the Vietnamese market, especially in its prioritized industries.
Senate President Milan Stech asserted that cooperation between Vietnam and Czech has seen developments in various fields in recent years. The Vietnam-Czech bilateral friendly relations have been established long before and many Vietnamese had returned home after studying and working in the Czech Republic. The two countries with their recent economic successes can promote cooperation in a number of areas.
The two sides agreed that the relations between the two legislative bodies as well as the bilateral trade relations over the past time have achieved fruitful results while pointing out some advantages and shortcomings with the aim of boosting bilateral relations and cooperation in the future. The Vietnamese delegation proposed that the Czech Republic would continue its support for Vietnam in enhancing its comprehensive cooperation and partnership between Vietnam and the European Union; recognize Vietnam as a market economy; and provide more favorable conditions for Vietnamese commodities to enter the Czech market.
The two legislative delegations also agreed to continue delegation exchange and urge for the early signing of the Europe-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA). The ratification of the FTA will serve as a springboard for two-way trade between the two countries.
* After the talks with Senate President Milan Stech, NA Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan met with President of the Czech Republic Milos Zeman. She thanked the host for the warm reception for the Vietnamese delegation, and conveyed the greetings from Vietnamese State President Tran Dai Quang to the host.
At the meeting, NA Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan suggested that the Czech Republic simplify procedures of visa issuance for Vietnamese citizens and provide more favorable conditions for overseas Vietnamese in the country.
NA Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan meeting with President of the Czech Republic Milos Zeman. Photo: VNA
The host stated that the Vietnamese-Czech community has been now recognized as a minority ethnic group of the Czech Republic. This is a favorable condition for the community to stabilize their lives and work there, and integrate in the Czech society. He acknowledged that the Vietnamese-Czech people are hard-working.
President Milos Zeman also proposed Vietnam to consider clearing obstacles to visa issuance for citizens of the Czech Republic and waive visas for those who pay short visits to Vietnam. The Czech Republic also wished to receive more Vietnamese guest workers.
* At the talks with Czech Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka on the afternoon of April 12, NA Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan reviewed that economic, trade and investment relations between Vietnam and the Czech Republic have seen vigorous developments. However, the results have yet to be on a par with potential and strength of each side.
In order to fully tap the cooperation potential, the Vietnamese top legislator proposed that the two governments apply promotion measures in different fields. The NA of Vietnam will enhance supervision over the implementation of all deals signed by the two governments to provide favorable conditions for cooperation, investment and people-to-people exchange, she said. Various measures to boost cooperation are also discussed at the talks.
On this occasion, Ngan suggested enhancing defense and security cooperation, in which the Czech side will help Vietnam strengthen cyber security while the NA of Vietnam supports the two governments to sign the “Agreement on cooperation in crime combat” and the “Agreement on exchange of convicts.” The host agreed with the guest’s proposal in this field.
Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka said that Vietnam has made impressive achievements over the past years; as a result, a good number of Czech enterprises not only wish to invest directly in and provide equipment for Vietnam, but also want to expand cooperation in the fields of energy, mining, traffic infrastructure development, healthcare, pharmacy, and information technology. The Czech Prime Minister believed that the two sides should expand cooperation in tourism while agreeing with the Vietnamese guest on the need to bolster security cooperation. He stressed that many Czech companies want to cooperate with Vietnamese partners in this field.
* Also on April 12, NA Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan met with Vice Chairman of the Czech Parliament’s Chamber of Deputies (Lower House) and Chairman of the Communist Party of the Czech Republic and Moravia (KSCM) Vojtech Fillip.
NA Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan and Vice Chairman of the Czech Parliament’s Chamber of Deputies and Chairman of the Communist Party of the Czech Republic and Moravia (KSCM) Vojtech Fillip (2nd from R)
Highly appreciating the support of the KSCM for the policy of the Czech Parliament and Government in strengthening relations with Vietnam, Ms. Ngan asked the KSCM, as a big party in the Czech Republic, to continue supporting the Vietnam-Czech ties.
She confirmed that Vietnam always favors the enhancement of relations between the Communist Party of Vietnam and the KSCM, considering the relations as an important and valuable traditional cooperation channel between the two countries.
Vice Chairman of the Czech Parliament’s Chamber of Deputies and Chairman of the KSCM Vojtech Fillip said the KSCM is ready to promote ties between the two parties. He proposed that the two parties increase information sharing via official channels such as via the Nhan dan (People’s) Newspaper of Vietnam and the Hal Noviny of the Czech Republic.
Translated by Huu Duong