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

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

He said his country has strong agriculture, andits agricultural products have been exported to more than 180 countries aroundthe world. Therefore, aside from cultural and educational cooperation, Irelandwants the two countries to step up experience sharing and cooperation indeveloping high-value agriculture.

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

Ireland will provide more technologicalassistance for Hanoi to improve agricultural product quality and ensure foodsafety, through which he hopes Ireland’s trade with Vietnam and Hanoi inparticular will increase and Vietnamese businesses will have more chances toaccess European markets.

[Hanoi to celebrate Ireland’s National Day]

Doyle said to celebrate the National Day ofIreland, the Irish Embassy in Vietnam and the Hanoi People’s Committee willilluminate Thap But (Pen Monument) by Hoan Kiem Lake with green light on March17 evening. As Thap But is a symbol of knowledge, through this event, Irelandexpresses its wish to strengthen ties with Vietnam and Hanoi to developeducation.

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

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

It hopes that the Minister of State and theAmbassador of Ireland will serve as a bridge helping Irish businesses bolstercooperation and share experience with Hanoi in the time ahead, the officialadded.-VNA