Welcome to the 61st issue of the CEEasia Briefing.
In this issue, we dissect the following topics:
-
India and EU accelerate efforts towards FTA
-
South Korea’s nuclear project in Czech Republic moves forward
-
Japan-Poland ties
If you like what you see, please forward this message to your friends and colleagues who can subscribe here.
Do you need to know more about East Asia? Don’t hesitate to shoot us a message about custom analysis tailored to your needs.
1. India and EU accelerate efforts towards FTA
What’s going on? Vietnam’s Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh led a high-ranking Vietnamese delegation for a week-long official visit to the Czech Republic, Poland, and Switzerland between 15-22 January. His visit focused on elevating political and economic relations with the respective countries by engaging in more than 30 meetings, talks with government and business representatives. Among plentiful outcomes, Vietnam announced short-term visa exemption for citizens of Poland, Czech Republic and Switzerland who for tourism purposes. The visa waiver will be effective from March 1st until the end of December 2025.
Going deeper… The first 3-day stay of PM Chinh led to Poland, where he held talks with the Polish President Andrzej Duda and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, resulting in a joint statement to advance their ties towards a strategic partnership. PM Chinh, together with Polish Minister of Development and Technology Krzysztof Paszyk and Vietnamese Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien, then attended the Vietnam-Poland business forum aimed at strengthening economic ties between Poland and Vietnam, namely in renewable energy, tourism, and trade. Vietnam is already Poland’s largest partner in Southeast Asia. Poland further agreed to proceed with ratification of the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA). P
Next stopover… PM Chinh was also in Czechia for 3-days, and met with the Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala, President Petr Pavel, and the President of the Czech Senate Milos Vystrcil. He then held a Czech-Vietnamese economic forum attended by representatives from more than 130 companies from both countries including Sportisimo, Frostfood and Anam Group. The two sides elevated their ties to a strategic partnership, promising to strengthen defense and trade relations, and science and research cooperation. They also signed two notable agreements. This includes cooperation in higher education which will enable the exchange of students and academic researchers and training of Vietjet Airlines pilots at F-Air Czech flight school. Other discussed issues included opening of a Czech cultural center and organizing Czech business forum in Hanoi, as well as establishing direct flights between their capitals.
The visit also concluded… a 2-day stay in Switzerland, where PM Chinh met with Swiss President Karin Keller-Sutter. The two agreed to upgrade bilateral relations to a comprehensive partnership and committed to promoting the early completion of the Free Trade Agreement between Vietnam and the European Free Trade Association. PM Chinh further attended the 55th Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos and met with Klaus Schwab, founder and executive chairman of the WEF.
This means… PM Chinh’s visit coincides with the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations with both Poland and Czechia and is a reflection of mutual interests to strengthen their engagements. For Warsaw, Vietnam is the most significant partner in Southeast Asia and it aims to bring trade turnover with Hanoi to USD 5 billion. Similarly, the Czech Republic views Vietnam as a key partner and a gateway linking ASEAN countries with Europe. The biggest potential eyed by Czechia for its companies is in trade cooperation, namely in the petrochemical, nuclear energy, medicine and biotechnology industries. One of Prague’s key goals is narrowing its grave trade imbalance vis-a-vis Vietnam.
2. Dukovany nuclear project moves forward
What’s going on? Construction of the two nuclear units in Dukovany nuclear power by the Korea Hydro and Nuclear Power (KHNP) company has moved forward, following the resolution of a long-standing legal dispute between KHNP and the US company Westinghouse over reactor technology rights. This move secures the future of the Czech nuclear energy project.
Going deeper… The dispute concerned the intellectual property of the APR1400 reactor technology, which KHNP developed based on older Westinghouse designs. While Westinghouse claimed ownership of the technology, KHNP argued that the modifications and improvements made over the years make it a different system. The resolution of this legal battle in January 2025 has removed potential obstacles for the Czech Dukovany project. Czech prime minister Fiala (ODS) and Minister for Industry and Trade Vlček (STAN) welcomed the dispute settlement, emphasizing its importance for energy security and economic cooperation.
This means… The settlement between KHNP and Westinghouse ensures that the CZK 200 billion Dukovany project can proceed without legal risks, providing certainty for the Czech Republic’s energy strategy. The final agreement between KHNP and Czech energy company ČEZ is expected to be signed by the end of March. According to those involved, negotiations between the South Korean and Czech sides are intense, with hundreds of people traveling between the two countries as part of the discussions. This reflects the project’s scale and the commitment of both nations to its success.
Moreover… The resolution also strengthens cooperation between South Korean and Czech companies and paves the way for KHNP’s expansion in the European nuclear sector. KHNP has committed to meeting the Czech government’s requirement that at least 60% of the contract’s value benefits local firms, further boosting the Czech industry. Over 200 Czech companies have been contacted by KHNP, with 50 already signing memorandums of cooperation. Notably, Doosan Škoda Power has been confirmed as a supplier of turbines. KHNP is also set to build two nuclear units in Poland, marking its first major European contract. The company has stated that it is in discussions with other European countries but did not specify details since they want to fully focus on the Czech project.
3. Japan-Poland relations
What’s going on? Amid strengthening ties with NATO, Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa met with top officials in Poland in early January. The minister also made an announced visit to Ukraine during which she pledged Japan’s ongoing support for the country in the face of Russia’s offensive. This includes by providing $37m to the NATO fund to provide Ukraine with drone detection systems.
Going deeper… Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa held several meetings while in Poland, including with her counter part Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski, who she met in Warsaw. She also met with Polish President Andrzej Duda, discussing several issues sch as the importance of their strategic partnership and shared values in upholding open international rule-based order. Both sides also highlighted the 30th anniversaries of the founding of the Polish-Japanese Academy of Information Technology and the opening of the Manggha Museum of Japanese Art and Technology (the “Manggha” Museum) in Krakow.
Moreover… Minister Kamikawa also made a surprise visit to Ukraine where she met President Zelenskyy on 7 January. One of the discussed topics included Japan’s assistance to Ukraine, including contributions from the NATO Fund as well as provision and transportation support of large-scale power-related equipment for winterization assistance.
This means… NATO – and Europe’s interest – on Indo Pacific has been growing in recent years. This includes rising cooperation with Japan that is perceived as one of the main pillars of regional security architecture in the face of potential Chinese aggression. Indeed, there have been several reports over the past two years suggesting NATO members are considering the idea of opening a regional office in Tokyo; this would be the alliance’s first-ever permanent office in the Indo-Pacific region. The plan, however, has not been finalized. France has previously opposed the idea. And China has suggested it would perceive such a development as a ‘group confrontation’ and advised Japan to be ‘extra cautious’ on the issues of military security.
Quick takes on CEEasia developments
CHINA | Representatives of Bratislava University of Economics and Management (BUEM) and Ningbo University of Finance and Economics (NBUFE) inaugurated the China-Slovakia Silk Road College in mid-December at the BUEM premises to extend joint research and partnership initiatives between the two universities. At the same time, a strategic cooperation agreement was signed between Gotion, BUEM, and NBUFE to promote cooperation between the academic and business sectors.
CHINA | China’s e-commerce giant JD.com acquired 65% of Home Credit Consumer Finance (China) owned by Czech PPF Group. The acquisition, which took place at the end of December 2024, is a part of PPF’s broader exit strategy from its overseas Home Credit consumer finance business.
CHINA | Poland announced it will close its Consulate General in Chengdu starting from April 2025. All consular matters currently conducted by the Consulate in Chengdu will be under the competence of the Polish Consulate General in Guangzhou.
INDONESIA | The Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia in Bratislava Pribadi Sutiono is interested in building a European hub for Indonesian airlines in Bratislava. Potential for closer cooperation is furthermore in the organic fertilizer industry. Sutiono also mentioned the proposed visit of Slovak Foreign Minister Juraj Blanar to Indonesia later in 2025.
INDIA | European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced at the World Economic Forum in Davos in late January that the first visit of her second term will be to India. The visit is planned to take place in late February – beginning of March 2025.
The post CEEasia Briefing #61: Vietnam’s PM touring Europe, South Korea’s nuclear project in Czechia moves forward, Poland-Japan ties appeared first on CEIAS.