Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnamese Prime Minister PhamMinh Chinh and his Czech counterpart Andrej Babis exchanged views on relationsbetween the two countries, notably cooperation in COVID-19 combat, during theironline talks on August 9.

Chinh suggested the Czech Government transfer their unusedvaccines to Vietnam, help it access other sources of vaccines as many asand as soon as possible, and aid the Southeast Asian nation with medicalsupplies.

In reply, Babis said the Czech Republic stands readyto support and cooperate with Vietnam in this regard, including the transfer of500,000 vaccine doses and a number of rapid test kits.

The Czech Republic will also call on other European countriesto help Vietnam with COVID-19 vaccines like AstraZeneca, Pfizer, Moderna andSinopharm that are being used in the region.

The two PMs compared notes on measures to lift thetraditional friendship and multi-faceted cooperation between the two countriesto a new height in a more effective manner.

They also consented to maintain all-level meetings flexiblybased on the real situation.

On this occasion, Chinh invited Babis to visit Vietnamas early as possible. The Czech PM said he wishes to visit the country thisyear.

Regarding trade and investment ties, Chinh suggestedthe two sides closely coordinate to maximise the EU-Vietnam Free TradeAgreement (EVFTA) and the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA).

The leaders agreed to step up cooperation in some priorityareas like auto industry, transportation, education-training, national defence-security,and sending Vietnamese nurses to work in the Czech Republic.

They also concurred to further facilitate the exportof Vietnamese goods and agricultural products, especially seasonal fruits, tothe Czech market and the EU at large.

A direct air route between Vietnam and the Czech Republicwill be launched when possible, as agreed by the PMs.

Chinh thanked Czech leaders and authorities at alllevels for creating conditions for the Vietnamese community to live andintegrate into the host society.

Babis spoke highly of the Vietnamese community’sactively role, and expressed his hope that they will make more contributions tothe bilateral friendship and cooperation.

The leaders agreed to further intensify cooperationbetween the two countries at multilateral forums.

They also shared views on certain regional andinternational matters of shared concern, including the East Sea issue. They stressed the need to ensure security,safety and freedom of navigation and aviation in the waters, and settledisputes through peaceful measures, in accordance with international law andthe 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (1982 UNCLOS)./.