Hanoi and the French region of Ile de France have signed a number of cooperative agreements for the 2011-2015 period, covering urban-regional planning, public transport, water supply and waste treatment.

The agreements also aim to step up bilateral cooperation in other fields such as tourism, preservation of cultural heritages, socio-economic development and vocational training.

These deals were signed in Hanoi on Nov. 1, following talks between the city’s People’s Committee Chairman Nguyen The Thao and President of the Regional Council of Ile de France, Jean-Paul Huchon.

Thao said Hanoi will deploy the freshly-inked cooperation agreement on regional and urban planning immediately after the city’s construction master plan is approved by the government.

He applauded the Ile de France-backed water supply, drainage and waste treatment project in the craft village of Kieu Ky in Hanoi ’s suburban district of Gia Lam.

The mayor also promised to support and create favourable conditions for businesses from France, and Ile de France in particular, to invest in public transport, socio-economic development and heritage preservation projects.

Thao said he believed that the delegation’s ongoing visit, which takes place at a time when the two localities are celebrating 20 years of cooperation, would open up a new page in bilateral relations, thus contributing to the Vietnam-France friendship.

Huchon affirmed the administration of Ile de France considers cooperative ties with Hanoi a typical, practical and effective model./.