Philippine president discusses expanding cooperation with President Pavel in Prague

Czechia and the Philippines are aligned in their assessments of the international security situation, President Petr Pavel said after meeting with the President of the Philippines, Ferdinand Marcos Jr., in Prague on Thursday. He added that the Czech Republic is fully on the side of the Philippines when it comes to the country's claim to the free movement of goods and maritime transport in the South China Sea.

Mr. Pavel also noted that Czechia is struggling with a labour shortage and that the Philippines is one of their priority countries for workers to come and fill the gap. In December, the Czech government approved a regulation that will increase the limit for business visa applications from 5,000 to 10,300 in the case of the Philippines from May.

President Marcos said the countries can increase their cooperation in trade, investment, agriculture, energy, aviation, defence and cyber security. Czech Agriculture Minister Marek Výborný will soon be visiting the Philippines with a business delegation.

The Philippine president is in Prague to discuss cooperation between the two countries and will open the Czech-Philippine Business Forum with his Czech counterpart on Friday. He also has planned meetings with Prime Minister Petr Fiala, the head of the Senate, Miloš Vystrčil, and the Speaker of the lower house, Markéta Pekarová Adamová.