President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. was beaming with pride as he led the launch of a publication highlighting the cultural and diplomatic exchanges between the Philippines and the Czech Republic on April 17.

President Marcos and Czech Prime Minister Fiala launch 'KAIBIGAN-PRATELE: Czech-Philippine Cultural and Diplomatic Dialogue,' a book documenting the rich history between the two countries (Yummie Dingding)

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The book titled "KAIBIGAN-PŘATELÉ: Czech-Philippine Cultural and Diplomatic Dialogue" was launched during Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala's visit to Malacañang on April 17.

In his remarks during the event, the President said it was only appropriate to hold the launch during Fiala's visit so he could witness how the Philippines gives importance to its bilateral ties with the Czech Republic.

"I believe that it is only fitting that the launching of the book happens during the visit of Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala to Manila, so he can witness, as we continue to foster and strengthen the relationship between the Philippines and the Czech Republic," he said on Monday evening.

"I hope that all the work and effort poured into this publication makes it not only an informative tool for everyone who is interested in the rich history of cultural and diplomatic exchanges between our two countries but that it serve also as a symbol of the friendship amongst our people," he added.

According to Marcos, the book was the product of the collaboration of various Filipino and Czech contributors and editors under the initiative of Ambassador Jana Šedivá.

"I congratulate her and thank her for her efforts at making the relationship of our two countries even better in new and noble ways," he said.

Even though the formal relations between the two republics were only established in 1973, Marcos said the book documents the rich history of people-to-people and socio-cultural exchanges between the two countries as early as the 17th Century.

"From the arrival of Jesuit missionary and taxonomist Georg Josef Kamel, whom the camella plant was named after, to the warm friendship between Jose Rizal and Ferdinand Blumentritt, who was born in Prague, to the recollections of Czech diplomats and journalists who have lived here in Manila – the book is proof that Filipino and Czech people consider each other as přátelé, or as friends," the President said.

Before the book launch, Marcos and Fiala held a bilateral meeting where the two leaders discussed improving ties in different areas of cooperation, including defense and trade.

Fiala is embarking on a three-day Official Visit to the Philippines from April 16 to 18. He arrived in Malacañang on Monday afternoon.