National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue (R) and Deputy Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies of the Czech parliament Jan Bartosek. (Photo: VNA)

Hue hailed the outcomes of the talks between Bartosek and NA Vice Chairman Nguyen Duc Hai, which took place earlier the same day, and stressed that the Czech legislator’s Vietnam visit contributes to boosting cooperation between the two countries in general and their legislative bodies in particular.

Vietnam always attaches importance to developing relations with traditional friends in Central-Eastern Europe, including the Czech Republic, he said, noting that the bilateral political and diplomatic ties have been developing fruitfully, and agencies of the two governments and legislatures have maintained all-level delegation exchanges.

Speaking highly of the Czech Republic’s recognition of the Vietnamese community as an ethnic minority group in the country, Hue said the recognition will contribute to enhancing the bilateral relations.

Bartosek said that the traditional friendship and cooperation between the two countries have yielded fruits. He expressed his hope that the two countries will open direct flights in order to forge their tourism cooperation and promote their trade ties in a more balanced fashion.

The two sides shared the view that tourism will be a promising cooperation area if the two countries launch direct flights. This will also help enhance cooperation in trade, investment and people-to-people exchange.

Last year, two-way trade reached 848 million USD, up 15% from 2021, which, however, has yet to match their potential and desires, Hue said, stressing that the two economies are reciprocal.

Vietnam wants to export many products to the EU, including the Czech Republic, on the basis of the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement, and vice versa, Vietnam will facilitate Czech goods' access to its market, he continued.

Regarding the legislative ties, the NA Chairman suggested the two sides continue pushing ahead with delegation exchanges, and and consider the signing of a new cooperation agreement between the Vietnamese legislature and the Czech Chamber of Deputies to replace the one signed in 2009.

Bartosek affirmed that the Vietnamese community forms an integral part of the Czech society, and has helped build a friendship bridge between the two countries.

The official expressed his hope for stronger collaboration in education and training, promising that the Czech Republic will grant scholarships to Vietnamese post graduate students.

Hue suggested the Czech Republic urge other EU countries to soon ratify the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement, and the European Commission (EC) to soon remove its “yellow card” warning against Vietnamese seafood.

The two sides also exchanged views on some regional and international issues of shared concern.

Regarding the East Sea issue, Bartosek affirmed his support for the settlement of disputes by peaceful measures, and in accordance with international law, especially the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (1982 UNCLOS).

Hue asked Bartosek to convey his regards and invitations to the speakers of the lower house and upper house of the Czech parliament to pay official visits to Vietnam. He also invited a delegation from the Czech parliament to attend the ninth Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Forum of Young Parliamentarians slated for September 15-17 in Hanoi.