At the meeting (Photo: VNA)

In their recent meeting, the two sides noted that the Czech Republic has considered Vietnam as an important partner in Southeast Asia, and supported the Vietnam-EU Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA), which they believed that will benefit both countries.

Meanwhile, the Czech Republic is a gateway for Vietnam to enter the Central and Eastern European regions, they said.

At the meeting, the Czech FM lauded the traditional friendship and all-round cooperation between the two countries over the years, while showing gratitude towards the Government of Vietnam and the Vietnamese community in the Czech Republic for the timely and effective support in the first period of COVID-19 outbreak with the provision of masks, medical equipment and aids as well as humanitarian flights by Bamboo Airways to repatriate people of the Czech Republic and European countries.

He extended sympathies to Vietnam over the losses caused by the recent flooding in the central region, revealing that his country will provide assistance to flood victims.

The official expressed his hope that the Vietnam visit of Prime Minister Andrej Babis will be held in 2021 after the pandemic is controlled.

On economic cooperation, he showed his impression at the economic growth of Vietnam despite COVID-19 pandemic.

For his part, Ambassador Dung affirmed that Vietnam hopes to further expand the traditional ties and comprehensive partnership with the Czech Republic.

He thanked the Czech Republic for supporting the EVFTA and the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement, becoming the first country to vote for the approval of the deals.

The ambassador said that he hopes the Czech Republic will seek business opportunities in Vietnam, especially in energy, machinery manufacturing, health care, chemicals, tourism and transport in the context of the efficiency of the EVFTA.

He also thanked the host country for creating favourable conditions for the Vietnamese community to settle in the country./.

BTA