Czech Republic' first female top envoy to the Philippines, Ambassador Jana Sediva-Treybalova, has ended her tour of duty after four years of dedication to strengthen ties between the two countries.
Sediva concluded her mission on June 11 but not without significant achievements made between Czechia and the Philippines.
Photo courtesy of the Czech Embassy in Manila Facebook page
The most notable event of her duty tour was the successful April visit to Manila of Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala, who backed the Philippine military's modernization program at the height of the volatile Indo-Pacific region. The visit took place ahead of the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Czechia and the Philippines. Czechia's support for the Philippines' defense was reaffirmed when Sediva inked on behalf of the Czech defense department a Memorandum of Understanding with the Department of National Defense. Just a year in the office, Sediva was immediately faced with challenges brought by he Covid-19 pandemic. Despite global restrictions, she managed to repatriate thousands of Czech nationals who were stranded in the Philippines. "Significant economic gains" were also achieved during Sediva's term, the Czech Embassy in Manila said. Under her leadership, the Czech mission organized various business fora that served as avenues for the creation as well as the renewal of opportunities for partnerships between companies of both countries. "One of the most significant outcomes was the signing of agreements between the Czech Chamber of Commerce and the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry that sought to bolster trade and investment between the Czech Republic and the Philippines," the embassy said. Before leaving the post, Sediva headed the publication of a book documenting diplomatic relations between Czech and the Philippines—the  "Kaibigan - Přátelé: Czech-Philippine Cultural and Diplomatic Dialogue." On June 8, she paid a farewell call on President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. in Malacañang. The two exchanged messages of gratitude to each other. "Sediva will be remembered for strengthening people-to-people ties and fostering goodwill between the Czech Republic and the Philippines, particularly during a global crisis," the embassy said.
Photo courtesy of the Czech Embassy in Manila Facebook page
The most notable event of her duty tour was the successful April visit to Manila of Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala, who backed the Philippine military's modernization program at the height of the volatile Indo-Pacific region. The visit took place ahead of the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Czechia and the Philippines. Czechia's support for the Philippines' defense was reaffirmed when Sediva inked on behalf of the Czech defense department a Memorandum of Understanding with the Department of National Defense. Just a year in the office, Sediva was immediately faced with challenges brought by he Covid-19 pandemic. Despite global restrictions, she managed to repatriate thousands of Czech nationals who were stranded in the Philippines. "Significant economic gains" were also achieved during Sediva's term, the Czech Embassy in Manila said. Under her leadership, the Czech mission organized various business fora that served as avenues for the creation as well as the renewal of opportunities for partnerships between companies of both countries. "One of the most significant outcomes was the signing of agreements between the Czech Chamber of Commerce and the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry that sought to bolster trade and investment between the Czech Republic and the Philippines," the embassy said. Before leaving the post, Sediva headed the publication of a book documenting diplomatic relations between Czech and the Philippines—the  "Kaibigan - Přátelé: Czech-Philippine Cultural and Diplomatic Dialogue." On June 8, she paid a farewell call on President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. in Malacañang. The two exchanged messages of gratitude to each other. "Sediva will be remembered for strengthening people-to-people ties and fostering goodwill between the Czech Republic and the Philippines, particularly during a global crisis," the embassy said.