Rudolf Jindrak, head of the Czech Presidential Office's foreign section (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – The visit of CzechPresident Milos Zeman to Vietnam is one of his most important overseas trips in2017, as the country is a key partner of the Czech Republic in Southeast Asia.
Rudolf Jindrak, head of the Czech PresidentialOffice's foreign section, made the remark at an exclusive interview for theVietnam News Agency.
He said this is the first visit to Vietnam byMilos Zeman since taking office as President of the Czech Republic, adding thatZeman was to the country in the past as Prime Minister.
The official noted that the visit aims atboosting bilateral cooperation across sectors, particularly trade and tourism.
In 2016, about 14,000 Czech tourists arrived inVietnam.
Stressing the time-honoured friendship withVietnam, Jindrak said to the Czech Republic, Vietnam is also a gateway toSoutheast Asia.
The Czech Republic is the only country in Europehas recognised Vietnamese among its ethnic minority groups, he stated, addingthat the community has contributed significantly to local socio-economicdevelopment and to bilateral relations.
Vietnamese expatriates are the third biggestethnic minority group of the Czech Republic.
The three-day official visit to Vietnam made byCzech President Milos Zeman began on June 6.-VNA
VNA
