'Czech Republic does not have in Asia a nation closer to us than the Vietnamese one' : Czech Ambassador

WVR - On the occasion of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh's official visit to Czech Republic, Czech Ambassador to Vietnam Hynek Kmoníček gave an interview to The World and Vietnam Report, to share his thoughts and expectations.
The Czech Republic does not have in Asia a nation closer to us than the Vietnamese one: Czech Ambassador
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala on April 21, 2023, in Ha Noi. (Source: VGP)

Dear Your Excellency, could you touch on the significance of the Vietnamese PM Pham Minh Chinh’s upcoming visit to Czech Republic? What are your expectations for this visit?

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh visit to the Czech Republic will be most probably the highest ranking visit of this year. We expect that in discussions with the Czech Prime Minister, both leaders will touch on issues of political economic and cultural importance between our two nations.

As for the political ties we have very close relation which will be reflected in upgrading our ties into the new level. In economic ties the Czech Republic became a strong foreign investor in Vietnam with Skoda Auto Company and the Sev.en Global Investment group in the field of energy.

Military cooperation has increased significantly and thus is no surprise that the last year trade exchange broke the ceiling of three billion dollars for the first time.

On the cultural issues we expect to discuss the licensing procedures for the full pledged operation of the Czech culture center in Hanoi.

The Czech Republic does not have in Asia a nation closer to us than the Vietnamese one: Czech Ambassador
Czech Ambassador to Vietnam Hynek Kmoníček. (Photo: Van Chi)

This year marks 75th anniversary of Vietnam and Czech Republic diplomatic relations. How do you evaluate the relationship between the two countries over the years?

The 75th anniversary of Vietnamese and Czech diplomatic relations is the occasion when to look back at our common history. The Czech Republic does not have in Asia a nation closer to us than the Vietnamese one.

The big and ever-growing Vietnamese community in the Czech Republic is already the fourth biggest nationality back home.

Hundreds of thousands of Vietnamese who have studied, worked and lived in the Czech Republic are the backbone of our cooperation here in Hanoi. Shortly said our relations cannot be better.

What are the prospects of developing the relations between the two countries in the coming time?

For the future we intend to bring even more Czech foreign direct investment into Vietnam provided that decision making processes will become smoother and quicker.

The Czech Vietnamese military cooperation has a great potential and we believe the licensing procedures for the Czech salami and smoked meats on the Vietnamese market will finally be finished and we will all have the chance to enjoy these products here together.

The Czech Republic does not have in Asia a nation closer to us than the Vietnamese one: Czech Ambassador
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and the Czech Republic Prime Minister at Czech-Vietnam Business Forum on April 21, 2023 in Hanoi. (Source: VGP)

Vietnamese Tet is just around the corner. How do you feel about the atmosphere of Vietnamese Tet holiday?

Tet is first of all a family oriented holiday. The Vietnamese have big families so the familial gatherings tend to be quite big events by European standards. This creates a very special atmosphere for Tet which is hard to miss. We are as excited as any other Vietnamese for Tet to be here again.

Wishing for the upcoming new year, what are your wishes for Vietnam and for the relationship between the two countries?

I wish Vietnam a year full of stability, prosperity and harmony. And for the relationship of our two countries I wish exactly the same.

Thank you!

The Czech Republic does not have in Asia a nation closer to us than the Vietnamese one: Czech Ambassador
Players participate in a friendly football match between Hanoi Police FC and SK Slavia Praha, December 2024. (Photo: Van Chi)
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