HÀ NỘI — Chairwoman of the National Assembly Nguyễn Thị Kim Ngân received Vice Chairman of the Czech Parliament’s Chamber of Deputies Vojtěch Filip in Hà Nội yesterday.

The top Vietnamese legislator said she was pleased with the talks between NA Vice Chairwoman Tòng Thị Phóng and Vojtěch Filip, and congratulated the Czech guest on his re-election as Vice Chairman of the lower house.

She also said she was delighted by the friendship between the two countries, which has been treasured by generations of leaders and citizens.

As they will celebrate the 70th anniversary of diplomatic ties in 2020, NA Chairwoman Ngân suggested both sides organise various activities to mark the occasion.

Ngân also recommended further collaboration in defence-security, education-training, energy, environmental protection, science-technology, healthcare and agriculture.

Regarding economy-trade ties, Ngân said although two-way trade has grown in recent years, with the value in 2018 rising 16 per cent year on year to US$307 million, it has yet to match both nations’ potential.

At the meeting, Ngân thanked the Czech Republic for its support for Việt Nam-EU relations, the EU-Việt Nam Free Trade Agreement and the EU-Việt Nam Investment Protection Agreement.

On parliamentary ties, Ngân said co-operation has been consolidated in recent times, with regular exchanges of delegations, experience sharing and co-ordination at parliamentary forums.

She welcomed the Czech Republic’s move to re-grant long-term visas for Vietnamese nationals for employment or business in the European country since June 2019, and hoped both sides will negotiate and sign agreements to improve labour export co-operation.

Vojtěch Filip, for his part, said the Czech Republic trusts in Việt Nam’s support at international forums and in Southeast Asia, and in turn backs Việt Nam not only within the framework of the EU but also at international forums, including the UN

The Czech Republic wants to open a Hà Nội-Prague direct flight, and work with Việt Nam in tourism, environment, automobile production, healthcare and social welfare.

He also lauded co-ordination between agencies in both countries in the fight against drugs.

He asked the Vietnamese NA to promote co-operation, helping bolster relations between their legislative bodies.

He took the occasion to hail the Vietnamese people community in the Czech Republic, who have made significant contributions to the traditional friendship between the two nations. — VNS