President’s Hall, Malacañan Palace
February 20, 2025

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. reaffirmed the Philippines’ commitment to strengthening its partnership with the Czech Republic as he welcomed Defence Minister Jana Černochová in a courtesy call at Malacañan Palace.

During the meeting, President Marcos Jr. highlighted the growing cooperation between the two nations, recalling his visit to Prague in March 2024 where he engaged with Czech leaders and industry representatives.

He underscored the potential for deeper collaboration in various sectors, including cultural exchanges, economic partnerships, defense and security, and diplomatic relations.

The Defence Minister expressed appreciation for the warm welcome and acknowledged the strong ties between the Czech Republic and the Filipino community. She also recognized the contributions of Filipinos working in various industries in her home country.

The Philippines and the Czech Republic established diplomatic relations on October 5, 1973. In 2023, the Czech Republic ranked as the Philippines’ 28th trading partner. As of mid-2024, nearly 9,000 Filipinos were employed in sectors such as manufacturing, technology, healthcare and household services in the European nation.

*  *  *