Vietnam calls on Czech to rethink visa postponement

Hanoi (VNA) - 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 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.-Enditem