President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Thursday expressed his intent to further deepen the Philippines’ economic, defense, and diplomatic ties with the Czech Republic.

In a meeting with Czech Defense Minister Jana Černochová at Malacañan Palace in Manila, Marcos expressed optimism about closer cooperation and collaboration between the two nations.

“I am very optimistic for the future in terms of our relationship with each other in all things, on the people-to-people side, on the economic side, the defense and security, the diplomatic and the government-to-government,” Marcos told Černochová.

“So, I think that really there is much that we can do together, and there are many areas that we still need to explore,” he added.

Marcos also thanked Černochová for visiting the Philippines, saying it is a testament to Manila and Prague’s improving relations following his visit to Czech Republic in March 2024.

Černochová said she is “very impressed” by the traits of the Filipino people, empathizing that they are “very nice, kind and hardworking.”

During his visit to the Czech Republic in March last year, Marcos met with Czech Republic President Petr Pavel and discussed the bilateral engagements between the two countries.

Marcos and Pavel discussed opportunities for future partnerships in trade and investment, agriculture, green economy and renewable energy, space and aerospace, education, tourism, defense, cybersecurity, and labor.

The Joint Communiqué on Labor Consultations Mechanism to protect Filipino workers’ rights in Czech Republic was also signed on the sidelines of Marcos’ bilateral meeting with Pavel in Prague.

The Czech Republic is home to more than 7,000 Filipinos working in the processing industry, automotive, repairs and appliances, manufacturing, IT communications, real estate, health/wellness, and household service work. (PNA)