Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala announced the elevation of Vietnam-Czech relations to a strategic partnership during a meeting in Prague, marking a significant milestone in bilateral ties.

Strengthening bilateral ties

At the official welcome ceremony hosted by Prime Minister Fiala, he emphasized that Vietnam is the Czech Republic’s most important and close partner in Asia. Prime Minister Chinh expressed his delight at returning to the Czech Republic, describing Prague as a “jewel among European capitals” rich in history and culture.

During their discussions, the two leaders reviewed the socioeconomic status of their respective countries and exchanged views on bilateral cooperation as well as regional and international issues.

The elevation of ties makes the Czech Republic the first Central Eastern European country in the EU to establish a strategic partnership with Vietnam.

Expanding areas of cooperation

Both sides agreed to strengthen traditional collaboration areas such as defense, trade, science, education, culture, tourism, and people-to-people exchanges while expanding into renewable energy, innovation, digital transformation, green and circular economies, IT, healthcare, mining, and food security.

In trade and investment, the leaders resolved to enhance economic cooperation mechanisms. The Czech side encouraged its businesses to invest more in Vietnam, particularly in automotive supporting industries, renewable energy, machinery manufacturing, mining, chemicals, and food processing.

Prime Minister Chinh urged the Czech government to support EU member states in ratifying the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) and advocate for the European Commission to lift the IUU yellow card on Vietnamese seafood, recognizing Vietnam’s significant efforts in sustainable fishing practices.

The two nations also agreed to serve as gateways for each other’s goods in the ASEAN and EU markets, respectively.

Promoting connectivity and mutual understanding

Prime Minister Fiala highlighted Vietnam as one of the Czech Republic's most promising markets in the Asia-Pacific region, with increasing interest from Czech enterprises in investing and expanding operations in Vietnam.

Both leaders agreed on the importance of establishing a direct flight route between Vietnam and the Czech Republic to enhance tourism and people-to-people connections. The Czech Prime Minister welcomed Vietnam’s decision to grant visa exemptions for Czech citizens in 2025, which he described as a significant boost for bilateral tourism and cultural exchange.

Prime Minister Fiala also proposed the establishment of a Czech cultural center in Vietnam to deepen mutual understanding and strengthen ties between the two nations.

The Czech Prime Minister praised the Vietnamese community in the Czech Republic as an important bridge linking the two nations. He pledged continued support for the community’s integration and development.

Both leaders underscored the importance of global solidarity in addressing shared challenges, calling for comprehensive and inclusive approaches to promote peace, cooperation, and sustainable development.

Tran Thuong