21 January 2016 – Czech Deputy Foreign Minister Martin Tlapa met with Acting Secretary of Foreign Affairs Laura Q. del Rosario on January 13 to discuss ways to enhance bilateral economic cooperation between the Philippines and the Czech Republic.

Noting the country’s economic gains which have made the Philippines as the “most promising” Southeast Asian economy in the Czech Republic’s radar, Deputy Foreign Minister Tlapa highlighted the importance of cultivating deeper business-to-business contacts and the importance of conducting business missions in furthering trade and investment.

Acting Secretary Del Rosario cited key spaces for possible Czech investment in the Philippines, particularly in the fields of renewable energy, telecommunications, infrastructure, glass industry, and the aviation industry. She also underscored opportunities for cooperation in tourism, education, and defense.

Earlier, the Deputy Foreign Minister met with Undersecretary for Policy Evan P. Garcia to discuss current, emerging, regional and global political and economic issues. Both sides recognized the need to strengthen trade and investments, citing the GSP+ scheme as an important vehicle in its advancement, as well as the early conclusion of a bilateral economic agreement. To institutionalize the framework for bilateral discussions, they also committed to pursue discussions to establish a political consultation mechanism in the near future.

The Philippines established relations with the former Czechoslovakia on 5 October 1973. Following its peaceful dissolution on 1 January 1993, the Philippines recognized the Czech Republic and Slovakia. The Philippine Embassy was opened in Prague in 1997. The current Philippine Ambassador to the Czech Republic is H.E. Victoriano Lecaros, while the Czech Ambassador to the Philippines is H.E. Jaroslav Olša. END