Vietnam calls on Czech to rethink visa postponement

VietNamNet Bridge – Vietnam’s foreign ministry spokesman on Nov. 18 called on the Czech Government to reconsider its recent decision to temporarily suspend the granting of entry visas to Vietnamese citizens until the end of this year.

Spokesman Le Dung.

Spokesman Le Dung made the call in his reply to correspondents’ queries regarding the move by the Czech Government, stressing the fact that the traditional friendship and cooperation enjoyed by Vietnam and the Czech Republic have recently experienced positive developments across a broad spectrum of issues.

Those developments have been reflected in the outcomes of visits made by the leaders of the two countries, and the fact that the relationship has been continually enhanced by people and localities at all levels, the spokesman said.

He also confirmed that the Vietnamese community in the Czech Republic has made many positive contributions to their host country and that they have helped to strengthen the friendship and relationship between the two countries.

“Therefore, it is a surprise that the Czech Government has temporarily postponed its issuance of entry visas for Vietnamese citizens,” Dung said, describing the action as inappropriate to agreements previously reached and running counter to the traditional friendship and growing cooperation between the two countries.

For her part, Vietnam is ready to cooperate with the relevant Czech agencies in order to arrive at a satisfactory settlement to the matter, thus facilitating travel and links between the two nations, the spokesman added.

(Source: VNA)

Update from: http://english.vietnamnet.vn//politics/2008/11/814257/