Prague, Oct 21 (CTK) – Czech President Milos Zeman and his Israeli counterpart Reuven Rivlin have agreed that the development of bilateral trade between their countries is not satisfactory, Zeman told reporters after a meeting with Rivlin Wednesday.
Zeman, 71, also expressed personal support for Israel, saying it would last until the end of his presidency.
Zeman’s term in office expires in March 2018. It is not sure whether he will seek re-election.
Rivlin, 76, who arrived in Prague on Tuesday, thanked the Czech Republic for support.
Zeman is the first Czech constitutional official whom Rivlin has meet during his visit.
Rivlin is also to visit the Senate, the upper house of the Czech parliament, later Wednesday.
On Thursday, he will meet Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka (Social Democrats, CSSD), open a Czech-Israeli business seminar and pay homage to WWII victims in Terezin, north Bohemia.
Zeman noted that he feels special affection for Israel and he also pointed to good relations between both countries on the government level and joint meetings of the the Czech and Israel cabinets.
They are exceptional since apart from Israel, the Czech Republic holds joint government meetings only with the neighbouring Slovakia, Zeman added.
Rivlin said the clear stance of the Czech Republic meant great support for Israel.
Both presidents discussed cooperation in economy, culture and tourism, Zeman said.
Last year, 80,000 Israeli tourists visited the Czech Republic and this figure could be raised, Zeman said. He added that he would welcome Israeli investments in the spa industry in the Czech Republic which he considered excellent and unbeatable.
“I am glad we have agreed that the development of our bilateral trade is not very satisfactory and that it should be sped up, mainly in terms of investments,” Zeman said.
The Czech Republic has a considerably active balance in this respect. Last year, Czech exports to Israel amounted to 13.7 billion crowns, while imports from Israel were 5.9 billion crowns.
However, the volume of bilateral trade has not much changed in the past five years.
Zeman and Rivlin will have an opportunity to talk about business and investment cooperation at the Czech-Israeli Business Forum on Thursday.
Israel is a technological power and a close cooperation with it should be based on this area, Zeman said, adding that the Czech Republic could offer its knowledge in nano- and bio-technologies.
Delana Mikolasova, the first Czech diplomat in charge of science at the embassy in Tel Aviv, also wants to focus on this area. The Czech government established the post this year.
Rivlin, who arrived in the Czech Republic on Tuesday, also met Senate representatives. They discussed the Middle East situation, including fighting Islamic State, Senate press secretary Eva Davidova said.
Rivlin said Israel is not going to play any active part in Syria, but it is concerned about the developments in the country.
Senate chairman Milan Stech said the struggle against Islamic State cannot succeed without the participation of the key world powers and their cooperation.
Stech said he believes that Russia’s aim is to weaken Islamic State.
“However, the steps it has been taking of late cannot intensely weaken it. It is necessary to form a broad coalition against Islamic State,” he said.
On Thursday, Rivlin will meet Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka (Social Democrats, CSSD), open a Czech-Israeli business seminar and pay tribute to the World War Two victims in Terezin, north Bohemia, where the Nazis established a prison and a ghetto during the war.
