Marcos: A lot to explore between PH, Czech Republic ties

President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. said Thursday that there are a lot of areas to explore between the relations of the Philippines and Czech Republic.

This as Czech Republic Defense Minister Jana ?ernochová paid a courtesy call on the Philippine leader. To recall, it was in March 2024 when Marcos had a state visit in Prague.

''The discussions that we had in Prague did not end in Prague. They continue to go on between our two countries, and I am very optimistic for the future in terms of our relationship with each other,'' Marcos said.

''In all things, on the people-to-people side, on the economic side, the defense and security, the diplomatic and the problem with the government. 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 said he is very much happy to welcome ?ernochová in Manila.

In 2022, the Czech Republic was ranked as the Philippines’ 39th trading partner and 47th import supplier.

As of December 31, 2023, the number of estimated Filipinos in the country is 7,026 based on data from the Czech Ministry of Interior.

They are in the processing industry, automotive, repairs of appliances, manufacturing, IT communications, real estate, health/wellness, and household service work. — Anna Felicia Bajo/RSJ, GMA Integrated News