Photo credit: PCO

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is optimistic about the future of Philippine-Czech relations, saying both countries have plenty of room to expand their partnership.

During a courtesy visit from Czech Defense Minister Jana Černochová at Malacañang on Thursday, Marcos reflected on his trip to Prague last year, where he engaged with Czech leaders and industry experts. The visit, he said, laid the groundwork for deeper collaboration between the two nations.

“It gives us the promise of a much stronger and a much deeper relationship between the Czech Republic and the Republic of the Philippines,” the President told Černochová.

Marcos emphasized that discussions between the two countries didn’t end in Prague. “Your visit here is very important because we are continuing the discussions we started in Prague… These conversations are ongoing, and we want to explore more areas where we can work together,” he added.

Strengthening Partnerships Across Various Sectors

The President is keen on expanding cooperation in multiple fields, including cultural exchanges, economic collaborations, defense and security, and diplomatic relations.

“There is much that we can do together, and there are many areas we still need to explore, which we never did before. I hope your visit will help push those discussions forward,” Marcos said.

For her part, Černochová expressed her gratitude for the warm reception and spoke highly of the Philippines. “I am very much impressed with your beautiful country, not only through this official visit, but also by your very nice, kind, and hardworking people who are deeply appreciated in the Czech Republic,” she told Marcos.

Looking Ahead: What’s Next for PH-Czech Relations?

The Philippines and the Czech Republic established formal diplomatic ties on October 5, 1973, and their relationship has steadily grown over the decades. In 2023, the Czech Republic ranked as the Philippines’ 28th largest trading partner out of 221. Additionally, nearly 9,000 Filipinos in the Czech Republic are employed across industries like manufacturing, IT, real estate, healthcare, and household services.

Looking to the future, potential areas of collaboration include cybersecurity and the possible participation of the Czech Republic in the International Observers Program of the 2025 Exercise Balikatan, a major military exercise involving the Philippines and its allies.

With both countries eager to strengthen their ties, Marcos’ vision of a more dynamic partnership with the Czech Republic seems well on its way to becoming a reality.