Based on the outstanding achievements of bilateral relations in all fields over the past 75 years, with open cooperation potential and firm belief in the bright future of bilateral relations, in order to meet the aspirations of the people of the two countries, Mr. Pham Minh Chinh, Prime Minister of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and Mr. Petr Fiala, Prime Minister of the Czech Republic agreed to issue a Joint Statement upgrading Vietnam - Czech relations to "Strategic Partnership" during the official visit to the Czech Republic by the Prime Minister of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam from January 18 - 20, 2025.
The new partnership will elevate bilateral relations to new heights at both bilateral and multilateral levels. The upgraded framework also consolidates and enhances the effectiveness of existing bilateral cooperation mechanisms and promotes the formation of new ones.
The Vietnam-Czech Republic relationship is firmly built on common principles, common interests and compliance with the United Nations Charter and the general principles agreed in the Framework Agreement on Comprehensive Partnership and Cooperation between the European Union and its Member States and Vietnam. These principles include: respect for the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries and their political systems; non-interference in each other's internal affairs; respect and ensuring mutual interests; commitment to promoting global free trade, the advancement of international law and multilateralism; as well as promoting peace, security and prosperity in accordance with the United Nations Charter.
Within the framework of the Strategic Partnership, Vietnam and the Czech Republic will continue to deepen cooperation in the following areas to ensure the practical interests of the people of the two countries, contributing to peace, stability, cooperation and prosperity in both regions and the world.
STRENGTHENING POLITICAL COOPERATION AND DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS
The two sides pledged to promote high-level visits and dialogues between Vietnam and the Czech Republic, and organize regular visits and dialogues between ministers and senior officials of the two sides.
The two sides wish to further strengthen relations through parliamentary and party channels by promoting dialogue, exchanges and discussions on each side's priority areas and practical experiences.
Within this new framework, the two sides committed to strengthening the political consultation mechanism at the ministerial level, expanding policy consultations, dialogues and exchanges between the Departments and Institutes of the two foreign ministries. In addition, the two sides considered establishing a Strategic Dialogue mechanism on diplomacy, defense and security at the deputy ministerial level chaired by the two foreign ministries and with the participation of relevant ministries and sectors.
STRENGTHENING DEFENSE AND SECURITY COOPERATION
The two sides expressed their willingness to promote delegation exchanges at all levels to enhance bilateral cooperation in the fields of defense and security, increase information exchange on strategic defense and security issues, expand cooperation in the defense industry, personnel exchange, and training.
The two sides also wish to strengthen cooperation between security forces and police. The law enforcement agencies of the two countries will promote the exchange of information, experience and coordination in preventing and combating transnational organized crime, especially cybercrime, drug crime and emerging crimes that affect the environment and sustainable development, in accordance with the 2017 Agreement on Cooperation in Crime Prevention and Control and relevant laws and obligations.
STRENGTHENING ECONOMIC, TRADE AND INVESTMENT RELATIONS
Economic cooperation is identified as one of the important pillars of bilateral relations. Based on the Economic Cooperation Agreement between the Government of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the Government of the Czech Republic, the two sides committed to enhancing the role and effectiveness of the Vietnam-Czech Republic Intergovernmental Committee on Economic Cooperation, co-chaired by the Ministry of Industry and Trade of Vietnam and the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Czech Republic. The two sides will encourage the establishment of sub-committees within the Intergovernmental Committee to review and evaluate the implementation of existing agreements and propose measures to exploit opportunities, create breakthroughs in trade, investment and industrial cooperation, towards a bilateral trade turnover commensurate with the Strategic Partnership.
The two sides are willing to create favorable conditions for businesses and investors to operate in each other's markets through cooperation and support for trade promotion activities. The two sides are also willing to strengthen economic, trade and investment cooperation in areas such as infrastructure development, renewable energy, green technology, pharmaceuticals, mineral exploitation and processing, mechanics, specialized machinery and the automobile industry.
The two sides stressed the importance of an open, fair, transparent and non-discriminatory trade and investment environment based on international rules. They will take advantage of opportunities within the framework of the Vietnam-EU partnership, coordinate to actively and effectively implement the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA), and encourage the completion of the ratification and implementation of the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA). The two sides will support each other in promoting economic cooperation and improving access to ASEAN and EU markets.
The two sides wish to enhance agricultural cooperation and exchange information on regulations, standards and technical requirements related to quality control and food safety in the fields of agriculture, forestry and fisheries; cooperate in building direct supply chains for agricultural products between the two countries; build common models for applying technology in agricultural production; promote research cooperation and exchange of plant varieties, livestock, biotechnology and animal feed production.
VIETNAMESE COMMUNITY IN THE CZECH REPUBLIC
The two sides will coordinate more closely to facilitate the integration of the Vietnamese community in the Czech Republic, helping them continue to make positive contributions to the traditional friendship and multifaceted cooperation between the two countries.
EDUCATION, TRAINING, SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION
The two sides affirmed their commitment to signing and implementing the Cooperation Agreement on education, enhancing direct cooperation between universities and research institutes of each country in areas where Vietnam and the Czech Republic have strengths.
The two sides will promote cooperation in traditional fields such as nanotechnology, biotechnology and medicine, environmental technology, technology in agriculture and aquaculture, information and communication technology, and expand cooperation to mechanical engineering and mining (research, exploitation, refining and quality assessment of rare earths...).
The two sides will strengthen cooperation in science, research and innovation. They will promote cooperation in the fields of digital economy, digital transformation, information security, artificial intelligence and cyber security. They will also promote cooperation between universities, research institutes and enterprises in research and development of digital transformation products, solutions and new technologies.
The two sides affirmed their commitment to developing and strengthening measures to promote security and integrity in research, in accordance with their respective laws, to prevent third parties from exploiting the results of joint research.
ENVIRONMENT, NATURAL RESOURCES AND HEALTH
The two sides are willing to strengthen cooperation and share technology and experience in the fields of circular economy, waste management, water treatment, clean water supply and rural environmental sanitation, transfer of advanced wastewater treatment technology, as well as promote cooperation in mineral exploitation, rare earth metal exploitation and energy conversion.
The two sides will consider expanding cooperation in medical equipment production, investment and technology transfer to produce specialized and rare drugs.
TOURISM
The two sides expressed their willingness to encourage airlines to cooperate and study the opening of direct flights to enhance cultural exchange, transportation and connectivity between the two peoples. The two sides will create the most favorable conditions to promote tourism. The two countries will also promote cooperation in sharing experiences, promoting tourism and developing human resources in the tourism industry.
CULTURE
The two sides pledged to create conditions to promote mutual understanding between the peoples of the two countries. The two sides encouraged the building of networks to strengthen links and cooperation in the fields of arts and culture. The two sides will support the establishment and operation of the Vietnam Cultural Center in Prague and the Czech Cultural Center in Hanoi, which will be built by the two governments. The two sides will coordinate to promote cultural cooperation in many fields, including increasing direct contact between cultural agencies to enhance understanding of each other's cultures.
HIGHLY SKILLED LABOR
The two sides will consider more effective cooperation in the field of skilled labor. The Vietnamese side requests the Czech side to consider facilitating the transfer of workers from Vietnam to the Czech Republic. This consideration of facilitating skilled labor will depend on the Vietnamese side providing appropriate security guarantees and accepting back its citizens.
PEOPLE-TO-PEOPLE EXCHANGE
The two sides are willing to enhance cooperation between local authorities, social and professional organizations to exploit complementary strengths, promote connectivity in areas such as trade, investment, education and cultural exchange, in order to bring practical benefits and strengthen friendship between Vietnam and the Czech Republic.
COOPERATION AT MULTILATERAL FORUMS
The two sides are willing to enhance the exchange of views, expand and deepen cooperation, commit to closely coordinate positions and consider supporting each other at international organizations and regional and multilateral forums, especially the United Nations, WTO, ASEAN-EU, ASEM and OECD, and other frameworks. The two sides will strengthen consultations, coordinate positions on regional and international issues, coordinate to address traditional and non-traditional security challenges, including epidemics, climate change, terrorism, food security, energy and water resources, and coordinate to promote trade liberalization and regional economic integration.
Vietnam and the Czech Republic support multilateralism and full respect for and compliance with international law, resolving disputes by peaceful means in accordance with international law, in particular the United Nations Charter, without resorting to the threat or use of force. The two sides stressed the importance of maintaining peace, stability, ensuring security, safety and freedom of navigation, aviation, unimpeded commerce, and ensuring the rule of law at sea in accordance with international law, in particular the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS 1982).
On the issue of Ukraine, the two sides stressed the need to establish a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in accordance with the United Nations Charter and international law.
Based on the content of the Joint Statement, the Foreign Ministers of the two countries will be responsible for coordinating with relevant ministries and branches to develop an action plan as soon as possible to implement the above-mentioned goals.
Source: https://kinhtedothi.vn/viet-nam-va-sec-nang-cap-quan-he-len-doi-tac-chien-luoc.html
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