At the invitation of Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh paid an official visit to the Czech Republic from January 18-20. After the official welcoming ceremony on the morning of January 20 at the Prime Minister’s Office, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh had a restricted meeting and held talks with Prime Minister Petr Fiala.
At the talks, Prime Minister Petr Fiala warmly welcomed Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and the high-ranking Vietnamese delegation, emphasizing that Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh’s visit marks a significant historical milestone in bilateral relations, namely the upgrade of relations to a Strategic Partnership.
This special milestone occurs on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations (1950-2025), opening a new chapter in the traditional friendship between Vietnam and the Czech Republic. With Vietnam becoming the first Southeast Asian country to be a Strategic Partner of the Czech Republic, this move deepens, substantiates, and enhances the effectiveness of bilateral relations.
It also affirms Vietnam as the most important and closest country to the Czech Republic in Asia. Prime Minister Petr Fiala expressed his admiration for Vietnam’s socio-economic development and shared his special sentiments and good impressions from his official visit to Vietnam in 2023.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh expressed his delight in returning to the Czech Republic and, with each visit, feeling the historical and cultural breath of Prague, the “diamond” among European capitals. He thanked Prime Minister Petr Fiala and the Czech Government for the cordial, respectful, and warm reception accorded to the high-ranking delegation of the Vietnamese Government.
He also conveyed his pleasure at the socio-economic achievements the Czech Republic has attained and his belief that the country will continue to prosper in the coming years. In an atmosphere of trust and candor, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Prime Minister Petr Fiala comprehensively exchanged views on each country’s economic and social situation, bilateral cooperation, and regional and international issues of shared concern.
They agreed that there remains ample room for developing relations between the two countries. The leaders expressed their satisfaction with the positive developments in bilateral relations, especially in politics, diplomacy, security, defense, trade, investment, and education. They agreed to increase exchanges of delegations at all levels, particularly high-level visits through Party, State, Government, and National Assembly channels.
The two leaders agreed to declare the upgrade of Vietnam-Czech relations to a Strategic Partnership and soon develop an Action Program to implement the Vietnam-Czech Strategic Partnership in a substantive and practical manner, befitting the new context. With this decision, the Czech Republic becomes the first Central European country in the EU to have a Strategic Partnership with Vietnam.
They agreed to boost cooperation within the framework of the newly established Strategic Partnership, including the agreements already concluded between the two countries. They will also strengthen cooperation in traditional fields such as defense and security, trade and investment, science and technology, education and training, culture and tourism, and people-to-people exchanges.
At the same time, they will expand cooperation in new growth drivers such as renewable energy, innovation, digital transformation, green and circular economy, information technology, healthcare, mining, energy, and food security. The two sides affirmed the commitment of their leaders to further enhance cooperation in areas where they have strengths and demands, with a spirit of “saying and doing,” and “once committed, must be implemented,” for the benefit of their people and for peace, stability, and sustainable development in each region and the world.
Regarding trade and investment, the two sides agreed to continue implementing existing economic cooperation mechanisms and encourage Czech businesses to invest in Vietnam, especially in areas where the Czech Republic has strengths, such as automotive auxiliary industry, renewable energy, machinery manufacturing, mineral exploitation and processing, chemicals, and food processing.
They also agreed to coordinate in effectively implementing the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA). Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh requested that the Czech Government support the early ratification of the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) by the remaining countries in the EU and advocate for the removal of the “IUU yellow card” for Vietnam’s seafood exports by the European Commission (EC), considering Vietnam’s serious efforts in fully implementing the EC’s recommendations on sustainable fisheries development, as well as the interests of Czech and EU consumers.
The two sides agreed to support and serve as gateways for each other’s goods to enter the ASEAN and EU markets. Prime Minister Petr Fiala rejoiced in the traditional friendship between Vietnam and the Czech Republic, which has a 75-year history and has achieved excellent results. He congratulated Vietnam on its socio-economic development achievements, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic, and regarded Vietnam as one of the most potential markets for the Czech Republic in the Asia-Pacific region.
He noted that an increasing number of Czech businesses are interested in expanding investment and business in Vietnam. Prime Minister Petr Fiala agreed with Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh’s proposal to soon open direct flights between the two countries and to the Central and Eastern European region to enhance people-to-people exchanges and tourism. Prime Minister Petr Fiala highly appreciated Vietnam’s decision to exempt Czech citizens from visas in 2025, believing that this will boost tourism and people-to-people exchanges.
Prime Minister Petr Fiala proposed that the Vietnamese Government support the establishment of a Czech cultural center in Vietnam, considering it an essential channel to enhance mutual understanding between the two peoples. The two Prime Ministers requested the relevant ministries and sectors of the two countries to coordinate in thoroughly preparing for the 8th session of the Inter-governmental Committee on Economic Cooperation.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh thanked Prime Minister Petr Fiala and the Czech Government for their attention and requested that they continue to facilitate the stable life, work, and study of the Vietnamese community in the Czech Republic, contributing to the friendship and cooperation between the two nations. Prime Minister Petr Fiala appreciated the role of the Vietnamese community in the Czech Republic, considering it an important bridge between the two countries.
He affirmed his agreement with Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh’s proposal to continue creating favorable conditions for the community to live and work in the Czech Republic. The two leaders agreed that in a world of many changes and challenges, the two sides share the perception of a people-centric, global, and comprehensive approach.
They affirmed their commitment to strengthening solidarity and supporting each other at multilateral forums and international organizations, contributing to ensuring peace, security, cooperation, and development in the region and the world. Exchanging views on regional and international issues of mutual interest, including the South China Sea issue, the two sides agreed that disputes and conflicts worldwide should be resolved by peaceful means, based on the fundamental principles of the UN Charter and international law, especially the 1982 UNCLOS.
The two leaders appreciated the importance of defense and security cooperation and agreed to promote cooperation in UN peacekeeping activities, military trade, defense industry, and pilot training. They also agreed to increase delegation exchanges to share experiences and coordinate in preventing and combating crimes, especially organized, transnational, and high-tech crimes, illegal migration, and drug-related offenses.
After the talks, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Prime Minister Petr Fiala witnessed the signing ceremony of several cooperation documents between the two countries in the fields of education and aviation.
On this occasion, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh cordially invited Prime Minister Petr Fiala to pay another visit to Vietnam. Prime Minister Petr Fiala gladly accepted the invitation.
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