Flanders and the Czech Republic have a lot in common: the love for beer and brewing, the struggle for one's own culture and language in the past and a shared history when both were part of the great Habsburg Empire (18th century).
The General Representation of Flanders took office in Vienna in 1994. Almost emmediately, the Government of Flanders decided to open a diplomatic antenna in Prague also. This office in the Czech Republic works closely with the headquarters in Vienna and is active in all areas for which Flanders is competent, except for the tasks performed by Flanders Investment & Trade and Tourism Flanders.
Flemish artists have long found their way to the many Czech festivals in the fields of dance, music, literature and theatre. The Czech Republic is Flanders' 18th export partner and a few dozen Flemish companies are active there. The Czech Republic belongs to the hinterland of the Flemish ports.
The Cooperation Agreement between the Flemish Government and the Government of the Czech Republic was signed in 2002. Six work programmes have followed since then. There is great potential for cooperation in the field of innovation; there's a reason why Robot is a Czech word.
- Declaration of Intent between Flanders and the Czech Republic
- Protocol of cooperation between the Ministry of Education of the Flemish Community and the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports of the Czech Republic
- Protocol between the Kingdom of Belgium and the Czech Republic to the Convention between Belgium and Czech Republic for the avoidance of double taxation and the prevention of fiscal evasion
- Agreement on the participation of the Czech Republic, Estonia, Cyprus, latvia, Lithuania, Hungary, Malta, Poland, Slovenia and Slovakia in the European Economic Area
- Treaty on the accession of the Czech Republic, Estonia, Cyprus, Latvia, Hungary, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovenia and Slovakia to the European Union