(VOVworld) - Vietnam and the Czech Republic have agreed to negotiate and sign a new cultural cooperation agreement to replace the existing document inked in 1997.

Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Nguyen Ngoc Thien and the Czech Republic Minister of Culture Daniel Herman in Prague

The agreement was reached during a meeting between Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Nguyen Ngoc Thien and the Czech Republic Minister of Culture Daniel Herman in Prague on Monday as part of Thien’s visit to the Czech Republic for the closing ceremony of the Vietnam Culture Year.

Minister Thien proposed exchanging art troupes and sending Vietnamese students to the Czech Republic to study opera and classical music.

Minister Herman appreciated Vietnam’s initiative to organize the Vietnam Culture Year in the Czech Republic last year to mark the 65th anniversary of diplomatic ties and said it helped promote Vietnam’s images to Czech people.

Minister Nguyen Ngoc Thien and Minister of Regional Development Karla Slechtova.

Minister Thien had a working session with Minister of Regional Development Karla Slechtova the same day, where they proposed that the two governments simplify the visa application process and open direct air routes to facilitate citizens’ traveling.