The PM welcomes Czech President Milos Zeman topay a State-level visit to Vietnam to consolidate the bilateral relations.
Two-way trade reached 249.5 million USD in 2016,he cited, noting that the figure is still modest and below par with theirpotential.
He urged to two sides to exert more efforts toexpand cooperation in economics, trade, and investment, adding that Vietnam iswilling to create all favourable conditions for Czech businesses to exploreopportunities in the market.
He proposed the Czech Republic continuesupporting and promoting comprehensive partnership between Vietnam and the EUto soon sign the bilateral free trade agreement, while receiving more skilledVietnamese workers.
The PM thanked the Czech Republic for recognisingthe overseas Vietnamese community as ethnic minority.
Grepl revealed a strong-member delegation ofbusinesses will accompany the Czech President in the upcoming trip to Vietnam.An economic forum between the two countries will be held as part of the visit.
He said the number of Czech tourists to Vietnamis increasing, so he hoped the two countries will soon open a direct air routebetween the capitals, and Vietnam will exempt visa for Czech visitors.
The Czech Republic is the only country in Europeto recognise the overseas Vietnamese community as ethnic minority, whichdemonstrates the Czech government and people highly values and respectsVietnamese expatriates, he added.-VNA