Czech Deputy Foreign Minister Lukas Kaucky.

Czech Deputy Foreign Minister Lukas Kaucky presented the proposal at the political consultation at deputy ministerial level with Vietnam held in Hanoi on November 2. 

The Deputy Minister affirmed the Czech government endorse and will soon approve the Vietnam-EU Free Trade Agreement, which is a basis for promoting the trade and economic ties between the two countries. 

He also informed that t he Czech government is considering relaxing procedures of granting short-term and long-term visa for Vietnamese citizens who enter Czech for tourism, study, work and visiting relatives. 

Vietnam’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son thanked the Czech government for creating favourable conditions for the Vietnamese community in the country to have a stable life. 

The two sides expressed their pleasure at frequent exchanges of high-ranking delegations and the effective operation of cooperation mechanisms like consultation between ministries and the inter-governmental committee. 

They noted that the bilateral trade and economic ties are still below potential and expectations despite recent expansion, urging more measures to help enterprises of the two countries connect in fields like infrastructure, renewable energy, agricultural engineering, electric equipment, and food processing. 

The two sides appreciated the cooperation of the two foreign ministries, including the maintenance of political consultation mechanism and coordination of viewpoints in important international issues. 

They shared the support for the settlement of disputes, including disputes in the East Sea, by peaceful measures based on international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea ( UNCLOS ), and the need to ensure regional maritime and aviation security and safety. 

On the occasion, Deputy Minister Lukas Kaucky signed an agreement between the two governments on cooperation in culture, education, science, youth and sport. He also visited some cultural establishments and hospitals in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Quang Ninh and Hai Phong.-VNA