President Truong Tan Sang (R) welcomes Czech Foreign Minister Lubomir Zaoralek (Source: VNA)The Czech Government backs the early completion of negotiations on and signing of a free trade agreement between Vietnam and the European Union, affirmed Foreign Minister Lubomir Zaoralek.
At his meeting with Vietnamese President Truong Tan Sang in Hanoi on October 23, the FM said that his country hopes Vietnam will become one of its strong partners in Asia to intensify bilateral economic and trade cooperation and deal with global issues, as Vietnam’s position in the international arena has improved.
The two countries are seeing stable economic development, Lubomir Zaoralek stated, suggesting both sides take advantage of this situation to further cooperation.
A Czech entrepreneurial delegation accompanying him attended business forums in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi, and organised an industrial machinery fair to seek long-term cooperation with Vietnamese partners, he shared.
He also appreciated the positive integration of the 100,000-strong Vietnamese community in the Czech Republic and their contributions to the host country’s socio-economic development since the community was recognised as an ethnic minority in August 2013.
President Truong Tan Sang, in turn, emphasised that Vietnam continually bears in mind the Czech Republic’s valuable support for its past struggle for national liberation as well as through training officials and engineers, which laid a firm foundation for the development of the time-honoured friendship.
He agreed with the minister’s proposal that the two countries should consider signing a cooperation agreement in culture and foster bilateral trade.
Together with efforts towards the signing of the Vietnam-EU FTA, the two countries’ agencies need to check available agreements for suitable adjustments or sign new ones to enhance bilateral collaboration, he added.
The President also shared the guest’s opinion on strengthened coordination between the two countries’ localities.
Regarding the East Sea, he affirmed Vietnam’s consistent stance on and determination to safeguard its sovereignty and territorial integrity by peaceful means in line with international law.
He welcomed the shared viewpoint of the international community, including the Czech Republic, as the region boasts an important international maritime route.-VNA
