By Jeon Misun

President Lee Jae-myung on June 11 held his first phone talk with Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala, speaking for about 20 minutes from 4 p.m. in Seoul.

This was the president's fourth phone talk with a head of state since taking office, following those with the leaders of the U.S., Japan and China.

The presidential office said the two leaders hailed the June 4 signing of the final contract for construction of a nuclear plant near the Czech village of Dukovany, saying the deal "will serve as a touchstone for further expanding bilateral economic cooperation."

Presidential spokesperson Kang Yu-jung said both sides agreed to closely cooperate to go beyond cooperation in nuclear plants and expand comprehensive collaboration in sectors like high-tech industries, infrastructure and energy.

President Lee also thanked the prime minister for congratulating him on his election win, saying, "This year is significant as the 35th anniversary of bilateral relations and the 10th year of our strategic partnership."

"I am pleased that our relationship has made remarkable progress across various sectors."

In addition, President Lee urged the prime minister to show continued interest in and support for the some 100 Korean companies operating in the Czech Republic, noting their contributions to close economic cooperation between both countries.

Spokesperson Kang said, "The two leaders positively assessed the expansion of people-to-people exchanges between both countries and hoped for more active cultural exchanges and cooperation."

"President Lee said he hopes Prime Minister Fiala will visit Korea at a convenient time," she added, and the Czech leader expressed his appreciation in response.

msjeon22@korea.kr