President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. will be leaving for Czech Republic next week to foster increased bilateral cooperation with the country.

In a Palace briefing on Tuesday, Department of Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary Maria Elena Algabre said President Marcos and First Lady Marie Louise “Liza” Araneta-Marcos have been invited by Czech President Petr Pavel for a state visit on March 14-15, 2024.

President Marcos is set to embark on a working visit to Germany followed by the state visit to Czech Republic on March 11 to 15.

“This endeavor seeks to strengthen bilateral relations and foster increased cooperations with the two countries,” Algabre said.

Aside from meeting with key government officials, the President will also be attending business forums there.

“The President will focus on bolstering trade and investment opportunities in the Philippines, inviting Germans and Czech companies to increase their presence in the country,” Algrabre said.

“The President will also attend business conferences in both countries participated in by prominent business leaders. He will then meet with major companies intending to take advantage of the Philippines’ continuing impressive economic performance. and conducive economic investment environment,” she added.

During the business fora, partnership agreements are expected to be signed, according to Algabre.

President Marcos will also witness the signing of a joint communique on the establishment of labor consultations mechanisms, aiming to enhance cooperation between the Philippines and the Czech Republic for the safe and orderly migration of Filipino workers, as well as for the provision of higher protection of their rights and welfare.

Approximately there are 7,000 Filipinos in the Czech Republic.

The Philippines and Czech Republic will be celebrating their 50 years of bilateral relations in October this year. | PND