Ireland to assist Hanoi to develop hi-tech agriculture

Chairman of the Hanoi municipal People’s Committee Nguyen Duc Chung (R) meets with  Irish Minister of State for Food, Forestry and Horticulture Andrew Doyle on March 16 (Photo: VNA)

Hanoi (VNA) – Ireland will increase supporting Hanoi to develop hi-tech agriculture, Irish Minister of State for Food, Forestry and Horticulture Andrew Doyle told Chairman of the Hanoi municipal People’s Committee Nguyen Duc Chung.

At a meeting in Hanoi on March 16, the Minister of State said the two countries share many similarities when both have long history of fighting for national independence and dynamic and hard-working people. Like Dublin capital city of Ireland, Hanoi is an ancient city with rich culture and history.

He said his country has strong agriculture, and its agricultural products have been exported to more than 180 countries around the world. Therefore, aside from cultural and educational cooperation, Ireland wants the two countries to step up experience sharing and cooperation in developing high-value agriculture.

The EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement and the Vietnam-Ireland memorandum of understanding signed in 2014 are the foundation for closer cooperation between the two nations.

Ireland will provide more technological assistance for Hanoi to improve agricultural product quality and ensure food safety, through which he hopes Ireland’s trade with Vietnam and Hanoi in particular will increase and Vietnamese businesses will have more chances to access European markets.

Doyle said to celebrate the National Day of Ireland, the Irish Embassy in Vietnam and the Hanoi People’s Committee will illuminate Thap But (Pen Monument) by Hoan Kiem Lake with green light on March 17 evening. As Thap But is a symbol of knowledge, through this event, Ireland expresses its wish to strengthen ties with Vietnam and Hanoi to develop education.

For his part, Chairman Chung shared the view on the similarities between the two countries and capital cities. He said he believes that the “greening” ceremony will be a highlight in a series of activities marking Ireland’s National Day in Hanoi, as well as in the two countries’ diplomatic ties.

Hanoi has learned many lessons from Ireland in recovering from economic crisis through agricultural development, he said, adding that in its five-year development plan, the city will enhance cooperation with and acquire agricultural technology from countries around the world, including Ireland.

It hopes that the Minister of State and the Ambassador of Ireland will serve as a bridge helping Irish businesses bolster cooperation and share experience with Hanoi in the time ahead, the official added.