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Speech of the Prime Minister of the Czech Republic on the occassion of his official visit to Malaysia

English Pages, 9. 9. 1996

Dear Mr. Prime Minister, Esteemed Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is for the first time in the history of our mutual relations that the Prime Minister of the Czech Republic has visited your country, and has had the opportunity to express to such a distinguished audience his ideas and his feelings, which have been inspired by the first hours that I have spent in your country.

There are not too many countries which are geographically as far away as Malaysia from the Czech Republic. It is not only geography, climate and nature that make our countries different. Historical and cultural heritage has caused many differences in our way of life, traditions and habits. In the past, our citizens were not given many opportunities to meet and cooperate in larger scale. Nevertheless, I can recognize many similarities between our two countries which may be used as a basis for the future expansion of our mutual relations.

Both our countries are located in very important and sensitive regions. As a country in the heart of Europe, our history, cultural traditions and heritage were influenced by the ideas, culture and trends coming from European East and West, North and South. Your country has also been for centuries influenced by the Islamic, Indian, Chinese and European civilizations. All of this contributed to the very specific and unique character of your country and culture which we have the opportunity to - at least partly - explore now.

Both the Czech Republic and Malaysia are in the process of rapid economic and social development and restructuring, they both try to reach the level of developed countries.

Your country is in the process of creating a new, modern society, of a society deeply rooted in your traditions, of a society with its own dynamics, opened to the world, of a society focusing on development, growth and prosperity of its citizens.

The Czech Republic has gone through a major transformation since its Velvet Revolution in 1989. We have managed to get over the burden of 40 years of totalitarian regime and to establish a stable, free society based on a pluralistic democracy and a market economy. We have succeeded in the rapid privatization of our economy, in introducing a standard system of law, and in founding all the necessary political and economic institutions. Our economy is undergoing a rapid economic growth which reached a 5%-level last year and we expect it to further accelerate this and next year. Our economy is stable, our domestic and foreign debts are relatively very low, the unemployment rate fluctuates at around 3%. Our country is finding the way back to the group of developed countries, where we were before the communist regime. We became a member of OECD last year and our country has, I think, very real chances to be among the first countries which will be accepted to the EU in the nearest future.

In our priorities, we do not look at the European continent only. We are interested in improving and broadening our contacts on other continents and in other countries. One of those is, undoubtedly, the fastest growing region in the contemporary world - the countries of South-East Asia, where Malaysia is among the most successful ones. We are ready to work to establish wide and intensive political, economic and cultural relations with you.

Our economy has been, over the past several years, the object of interest of American, Western European and some Asian investors. We wish to have more Malaysian investors in the future. Our business comunity is very interested in finding investment and business opportunities abroad. Therefore, I am very glad that during my visit to Malaysia, we can make an important step by signing the investment promotion and protection treaty in order to create the necessary framework for more intensive economic cooperation between our two countries.

I wish that this visit, and my talks with you, Mr. Prime Minister, and with other political and economic representatives, will add greatly to the intensification of our economic partnership. That is why our Government’s delegation is accompanied by a mission of representatives of top Czech businessmen and bankers. We believe that they have had an excellent opportunity to meet their Malaysian partners, and to make contacts which will be useful for both sides.

I believe that we should all do something positive to contribute to each other’s knowledge. For the future I believe that exchange is important. I do not mean only exchange of goods, but also ideas, and people themselves. I believe that both our countries share similar basic values and principles, that we have similar attitudes to many issues of international politics, and that we have therefore a great chance to achieve a new quality in our relationship.

Allow me, Mr. Prime Minister, to make a toast to the warm relationship between our two countries. May I take this opportunity to thank you for your most gracious welcome and hospitality, and to wish you, your country and its citizens great success in the future.

Václav Klaus, Malaysia, 9 September 1996