Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and his Czech counterpart, Bohuslav Sobotka, agreed on Tuesday to begin talks to conclude an air treaty to start direct flight operations between their countries, for which this year marks the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations.

During the meeting at the prime minister’s office in Tokyo, they also agreed to enhance dialogue and exchanges in fields of science and technology as well as defense.

At a joint press conference after the meeting, Abe said Japan intends to cooperate with Czech Republic to strike a broad deal on an economic partnership agreement with the European Union.

Sobotka gave the nod.

The same day, the leaders attended a signing ceremony for a working holiday pact that allows young people of both countries to work temporarily while staying in one another’s country.