President Marcos’ arrival in Czech Republic on Wednesday, March 13 (Prague time), is only the second time a Philippine leader held a state visit to the central European country since the late former president Fidel Ramos in 1997.
Former president Fidel Ramos' state visit in Czech Republic in 1997 (Photo courtesy of Alan Pajer/Czech Embassy in Manila)
The Czech Embassy in Manila shared the trivia in a post on X (formerly Twitter).
“The forthcoming visit holds symbolic significance as both countries celebrated the 50th anniversary of their diplomatic relations last year, underlining the enduring friendship and cooperation between the Czech Republic and the Philippines,” the embassy said a day before Marcos’ arrival.
Czech Republic Ambassador to Manila Karel Hejc shared the embassy’s post and also welcomed the Chief Executive to his home country.
“Mr. President @bongbongmarcos, welcome to the Czech Republic!,” he wrote.
In another X post, the embassy showed a video of Marcos’ Philippine Airlines flight PR001 arrival at the tarmac of Václav Havel International Airport.
President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. and First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos arrive at the Vaclav Havel International Airport on Wednesday, March 13, 2024 (Prague time). (Photo from the Presidential Communications Office)
The President was “warmly welcomed” by the ambassador and his spouse, as well as Czech Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Eduard Hulicius, Michelle Louise Hejčová, and Tomáš Pernický, director of protocol of the Department of the Office of the Czech President.
Philippine Ambassador to the Czech Republic Eduardo Martin Meñez along with his spouse, Madame Marissa Meñez, and Consul General Indhira Bañares also joined in welcoming Marcos.
Marcos’ visit to the Czech Republic is the second leg of his two-country swing to Central Europe, where he is expected to meet with Czech President Petr Pavel.
He will also meet with Czech Parliament-Senate President Miloš Vystrčil and President of the Chamber of Deputies Markéta Pekarová Adamová.
The President will attend the Philippine-Czech Business Forum organized by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and meet with the Filipino community in Prague before departing for Manila.
Marcos is expected to be back in the country on Saturday afternoon, March 16.