Vietnam and the Czech Republic have officially upgraded their bilateral relations to a Strategic Partnership during the visit of Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh to the Czech Republic from January 18th to 20th, 2025. This significant development aims to deepen cooperation in political, economic, defense, and cultural sectors, marking a new phase in their 75-year-long diplomatic ties.
The Strategic Partnership seeks to promote high-level exchanges, with an emphasis on enhancing political dialogue and establishing a Strategic Dialogue on defense and security at the deputy ministerial level. Both nations are committed to strengthening defense cooperation, including information exchange on strategic defense issues and collaborating on cybersecurity, transnational crimes, and environmental security.
A key area of focus is economic cooperation, with both countries aiming to boost trade and investment. The Vietnam-Czechia Intergovernmental Committee will be pivotal in driving collaboration in sectors such as renewable energy, pharmaceuticals, infrastructure, and the automotive industry. The countries also plan to capitalize on the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) and Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) to create favorable conditions for business growth.
In addition to economic ties, the partnership includes advancing educational and scientific exchanges in areas like biotechnology and digital transformation, as well as environmental cooperation on waste management, energy transition, and healthcare innovations. Both nations have committed to promoting cultural exchange and tourism, with plans to establish cultural centers in Hanoi and Prague. The Vietnamese community in the Czech Republic will also play a key role in the partnership, with both sides agreeing to work on their integration and contribution to bilateral relations.
Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala also discussed multilateral cooperation, underscoring their support for international law, sustainable development, and the peaceful resolution of global challenges, including climate change, security threats, and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
Both countries have pledged to develop an action plan to implement these initiatives, signaling a promising future for Vietnam-Czechia relations as they strive for mutual benefits and regional stability.
Source: https://vietnamnews.vn