22nd April, 2010 – Vietnam News -
AMSTERDAM — Viet Nam hopes to co-operate with the Netherlands on water management issues, said Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Sinh Hung during a visit to the country on Tuesday.
The Deputy Prime Minister said the Netherlands, a country that has a lot of experiences in coping with climate change, can offer Viet Nam many lessons on effective water management.
Hung made the statement at recent working sessions with his Dutch counterpart Andre Rouvoet and the Dutch ministers of Foreign Affairs, Transport, Public Works and Water Management and Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality.
Hung, who is leading an inter-ministerial delegation to the Netherlands, briefed his hosts on measures taken by Viet Nam to cope with climate change and natural disasters such as floods and storms.
The two sides discussed strategic and sustainable bilateral co-operation programmes for the next 50 to 100 years, particularly in the Song Hong (Red River) Delta, the Cuu Long (Mekong) Delta and other coastal areas in Viet Nam.
The Vietnamese delegation also discussed the exchange of visits by high-ranking delegations in the coming time.
Dutch officials outlines the Netherlands’ efforts and long history in coping with climate change, including projects to cope with the rising sea level, which was a serious threat to a country that has one-third of its territory lying below sea level.
The Dutch welcomed Viet Nam’s proposals on addressing climate change, especially adaptation schemes for the Cuu Long (Mekong) Delta and HCM City.
The Netherlands proposed that Viet Nam join the International Delta Alliance (IDA) and attend an international conference on agriculture and climate change slated for November in the country.
While in the Netherlands, the Vietnamese delegation also met senior Dutch officials and leading experts to discuss bilateral co-operation on climate change and water management at a seminar on the issue.
Dutch businesses expressed their willingness to take part in investment in design, technology, trade, agriculture, irrigation, training and sea port services in Viet Nam.
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Hmm, you sign cooperation program for next 50 – 100 years? Are you sure the next will commit what you sign?