25 July 2013 - The Philippines and the Czech Republic signed today an Agreement on Cooperation in the fields of Culture, Education, Science and Sports at the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Main Building in Pasay City.
Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert F. del Rosario signed on behalf of the Philippines. Czech Ambassador to the Philippines Josef Rychtar represented the Czech Republic.
The signing ceremony was witnessed by DFA officials and representatives of the National Commission on Culture and the Arts, Department of Education, Commission on Higher Education, Department of Science and Technology, Philippine Sports Commission and the Czech Embassy in Manila.
It comes at a particularly significant time in PHL-Czech relations as both countries celebrate the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties this year.
The Agreement was proposed in 2005 and sets the stage for an expanded partnership that would harness the strength and best practices of both countries into a mutually-beneficial cooperation in the fields of culture, education, science and sports.
The Agreement provides a framework for both sides to strengthen and promote their respective capabilities and institutions covering the abovementioned areas and, in the process, contribute to the overall growth and developments of both countries.
Upon the entry into force of the Agreement, the old cultural agreement between the Philippines and the now-defunct Czechoslovakia, which entered into effect in 1974, will cease to apply.
In his brief statement, Secretary del Rosario welcome the signing of the Agreement and expressed his expectation and aspiration that concerned agencies in both the Philippines and the Czech Republic will pursue concrete activities to implement the terms of this bilateral instrument in the immediate future to ensure that it serves its envisioned purpose. END
