Czech Republic expects to upgrade relations with Viet Nam: Ambassador

The diplomat made the above statement in his recent interview with VGP ahead of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh's upcoming official visit to the Czech Republic.

The Prime Minister's official visit to the Czech Republic is of great significance, which takes place on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations.

The visit not only strengthens the cooperative relations between the two governments but also contributes to reinforcing the fruitful relationship between the people of the two countries, promoting economic and trade cooperation, and attracting major investments from the Czech Republic into Viet Nam, he asserted.

Viet Nam and the Czech Republic established diplomatic ties on February 2, 1950, and the Czech Republic was one of the first countries establishing diplomatic ties with Viet Nam.

Since then, the good relationship between the two countries has been consistently maintained and developed, serving as a model for the positive relations between the two nations.

According to Kmoníček, cooperation between the two countries has made remarkably progress in recent times. Bilateral trade has grown steadily over the recent years, and it is expected that for the first time in history, the bilateral trade volume would exceed US$3 billion in 2024.

Economic and investment cooperation between the two countries is reaching new heights, with significant investments from the Czech Republic into Viet Nam. Among these, a group of investors in seven Czech industrial sectors has invested nearly US$500 million in electricity infrastructure in Viet Nam and currently owns the largest BOT electric power station in the North.

The famous Czech car manufacturer Škoda officially entered the Vietnamese market in 2023. It is expected that next year, Škoda will begin car production, with an annual output of 30,000 vehicles for the Vietnamese market as well as the ASEAN market.

Another important source of investment from the Czech Republic into Viet Nam comes from the Vietnamese expatriates living in or originally from the Czech Republic. Every year, they invest in projects in their homeland, with an average investment of about US$30 million per project.

With the launching of direct charter flights from the Czech Republic to Phu Quoc Island in the southern province of Kien Giang, nearly 900 Czech tourists arrive in Viet Nam each week, and in the future, more Czech tourists are expected to visit Viet Nam.

In addition, with nearly 300,000 Vietnamese people who have studied in the Czech Republic and continue to maintain strong ties with the country, Viet Nam holds a truly special importance for the Czech Republic. It serves as a gateway connecting the Czech Republic with all ASEAN nations.

Overseas Vietnamese in Czech Republic: A model community

The Ambassador said, the Vietnamese community in the Czech Republic is quite "a special phenomenon". They have been present in the Czech Republic since the 1950s, and have overcome obstacles related to customs, climate, language, and other challenges to adapt and integrate well with the local culture.

The Vietnamese community has now become the third-largest community in the Czech Republic. They serve as a really model community and make practical contributions to the development of the Czech Republic, noted the diplomat.

The Vietnamese community not only make important contributions in the fields of economics and culture, but more importantly, they have demonstrated that they can assimilate into the European community.

During the upcoming visit of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, the leaders of the two countries will discuss a range of issues in such areas as politics, economics, investment, and culture. The Czech Republic hopes that the bilateral relationship will be upgraded into a strategic partnership.

In terms of economics, the diplomat expressed his hope that business and investment cooperation opportunities between the two countries will be discussed during the Prime Minister 's visit.

Defense cooperation between the two sides is moving in the right direction to become a reliable and long-term partnership. The Czech Republic is very proud to provide more defense equipment to Viet Nam, Kmoníček emphasized.

In addition, the Czech Republic hopes to establish a Czech Center in Viet Nam to bring Czech culture to the Vietnamese people, the Ambassador said.

"We believe that the visit will also bring visibility to the Vietnamese community in the Czech Republic and it will also bring visibility of Viet Mam for even more Czech tourists to come and visit this beautiful country", told the Ambassador.

He expressed his confidence that the Vietnamese Prime Minister's upcoming visit will be a great success, contributing to strengthening and developing the traditional friendship and cooperation between Viet Nam and the Czech Republic./.