Hanoi (VNA) - Vietnam always attaches importance to and wishes to further strengthen cooperation with the Czech Republic, one of its top priority partners and its first Strategic Partner in Central and Eastern Europe, State President Luong Cuong affirmed on November 20.
Receiving Milos Vystrcil, President of the Senate of the Parliament of the Czech Republic, who is on an official visit to Vietnam, President Cuong stressed that the visit holds significant meaning as the two countries mark the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations (1950–2025) and actively implement the substance of the Strategic Partnership framework established in January 2025.
The President expressed his sincere appreciation for the warm sentiments and valuable assistance that the Czech Republic has extended to Vietnam during its struggle for national liberation in the past, as well as in the country’s current development and modernisation efforts.
Senate President Vystrcil congratulated Vietnam on its major achievements over 80 years of independence, 50 years of national reunification, and in its recent process of development and international integration. He affirmed that the Czech Republic regards Vietnam as an important partner in Southeast Asia and wishes to advance cooperation across all fields.
Both sides expressed their satisfaction with the positive growth of bilateral relations in multiple areas, underpinned by a high level of political trust. Two-way trade has posted impressive growth, reaching 2 billion USD in 2024 and 1.9 billion USD in the first ten months of 2025, though still falling short of the two countries’ potential and strengths. Both sides see considerable room to further boost trade and investment ties, and cooperation in many other spheres.
President Cuong suggested the legislative bodies of both countries to continue coordination in creating a favourable legal framework for bilateral cooperation, serving the shared interests of the two nations and contributing to peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and the world.
He said the two sides should enhance exchanges and delegation visits at all levels and through various channels to strengthen political trust; expand cooperation in economy, trade, investment, defence and security, science and technology, education and training, culture and tourism; and promote people-to-people exchanges to deepen mutual understanding and open new areas of complementary cooperation.
The President asked the Czech Republic to work with other EU member states to expedite the ratification of the EU–Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) and support the European Commission in lifting the IUU warning on Vietnam’s seafood exports.
Senate President Vystrcil said the two legislatures will coordinate to implement high-level agreements and support both governments in advancing bilateral cooperation across all sectors.
He also praised the contributions of the Vietnamese community in the Czech Republic to the host country’s socio-economic development, affirming that the Czech Parliament and authorities at all levels will continue to provide support and favourable conditions for the community.
On multilateral cooperation, the two leaders affirmed that Vietnam and the Czech Republic will continue to coordinate closely and support each other at multilateral forums, particularly the United Nations and within the ASEAN–EU framework. They noted support for the stance on settling disputes, including the East Sea issue, by peaceful means in line with international law, especially the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
On this occasion, Senate President Vystrcil announced that the Czech Republic will provide humanitarian assistance worth approximately 3.5 billion VND (132,600 USD) to residents affected by storms and flooding in central Vietnam.
President Cuong asked Senate President Vystrcil to convey his invitation to Czech President Petr Pavel to visit Vietnam soon to continue discussions on directions and measures to further advance bilateral relations in the time ahead./.
