(VOVworld) - Vietnam has attached importance to the relations with the Czech Republic for decades, said Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc at a reception in Hanoi on Thursday for outgoing Czech Ambassador to Vietnam Martin Klepetko.

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and the outgoing Czech’s Ambassador to Vietnam Martin Klepetko (Photo: VOV)

Mr. Phuc suggested both sides speed up trade and investment activities, pledging that Vietnam will make it easier for Czech businesses.

He noted he wants the two countries to accelerate diplomatic and cultural ties and quickly set up a direct air route between Prague and Vietnam.

Ambassador Klepetko said Czech businesspeople spoke highly of Vietnam’s investment and business environment, adding that the Czech Republic looks forward to an early implementation of the Vietnam-European Union free trade agreement to raise trade between the two countries.