Remarks · 7 November 2023
On behalf of the Government and the people of Kenya, I am deeply honoured to receive and welcome H.E. Petr Fiala, Prime Minister of the Czech Republic, together with his delegation to the Republic of Kenya on his Official Visit to Kenya, which is also the first-ever visit to the country by a Czech Prime Minister. We are therefore immensely privileged by this historic visit.
Prime Minister Fiala and I have just concluded productive discussions on a wide range of issues.
Kenya and the Czech Republic have shared warm and friendly relations since 1993 when Kenya formally recognized the Czech Republic as one of the successor States of the former Czech and Slovak Federation. This visit is, therefore, timely and I thank Prime Minister Fiala for his demonstrable goodwill and strong political commitment to enhance the relations between our two countries.
The Czech Republic is a highly valued partner to Kenya. The scope of our bilateral cooperation ranges from trade and economic cooperation, wildlife conservation, health, education, technology, defence and security, and climate action to regional and multilateral cooperation. Undoubtedly, there is immense potential to broaden and deepen our partnership.
In our bilateral meeting today, we held in-depth discussions on ways of enhancing trade and investment. We have shared ideas on new opportunities to expand commercial exchange and improve the balance of trade between our two countries. I take this opportunity to encourage the business delegation accompanying H.E. the Prime Minister to explore the huge untapped investment opportunities in Kenya.
To accelerate growth in trade and investments, we have agreed on the following steps for immediate action:a) That the Czech Republic consider establishing a commercial hub in Nairobi and use Kenya’s geostrategic advantage as a gateway for the broader regional and continental engagement in terms of trade and investments. b) That we implement urgent measures to establish a Business Council that will serve as a platform for bilateral private sector consultations.
Following the Czech-Kenya Business Forum yesterday attended by more than 120 companies from our two countries and which Prime Minister Fiala graced with his presence, I am confident that Kenya and the Czech Republic will witness higher levels of commercial and trade activities that will spur increased investment from Czech companies into Kenya in diverse fields of our economy.
Czechia companies’ investment in Kenya will be the most strategic decision. The Africa Continental Free Trade Area, a market of 1.3 billion people, is currently being organized, and Kenya’s vantage position will afford Czechia companies unimpeded access. In conjunction with Kenya’s ratification of the EU Economic Partnership Agreement, Kenya offers a compelling array of benefits unmatched in the region.
Kenya and the Czech Republic are working in concert on biodiversity conservation, in particular, on saving the Northern White Rhino from extinction in collaboration with the Ol Pajeta Conservancy in Nanyuki. Up to 25 embryos have been produced for future implantation. We have committed to strengthen this partnership.
In the complex world we inhabit, Kenya and Czech Republic must enhance collaboration in the face of serious security challenges. We are already partnering successfully on security and defence policy and programmes which reflects high levels of mutual trust between our two countries. We have committed to deepen this cooperation.
Prime Minister Fiala and I have had an opportunity to discuss global peace and security challenges against the backdrop of highly destabilizing conflicts and instability within various regions of the globe. We therefore agreed to work together within the available regional and international institutions to contribute to a secure and peaceful future for the world. We have also called for an end to raging and destructive conflicts- whether in Sudan, Ukraine, or Israel and Gaza- and a return to the path of peaceful resolution through dialogue.
As pertains to the environment and climate change, we have shared our concerns on the existential threat and underscored the need for concerted effort. I have, therefore, invited Prime Minister Fiala to support the Call to Action by world leaders through the "Nairobi Declaration", the outcome document of the Africa Climate Summit held on 4th – 6th September 2023 in Nairobi. We therefore agreed to work together to step up our efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity by prioritizing green growth. We have also agreed to work collectively to advocate for a more reformed and inclusive global climate financing framework.
Likewise, Prime Minister Fiala and I also resolved to continuously work together, across a range of sectors including health, agriculture, technology and aviation among others.
To solidify the relations between our two countries, we have agreed to explore a new phase of enhanced partnership for the benefit of our two countries, by holding further political consultations convened by our foreign ministries.
I take this opportunity once again to thank H.E. Prime Minister Fiala and his delegation, for the fruitful engagement and outcomes that we have achieved today.
I reaffirm Kenya’s commitment to deepen and broaden our relations with the Czech Republic and look forward to many more fruitful engagements in the future. Thank you. God Bless you.