Paris (VNA) - Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee of the northern moutainous province of Lao Cai Hoang Giang paid a working visit to the Nouvelle-Aquitaine, the largest administrative region in France, from May 26 - June 1, as part of the activities marking 20 years of cooperation between the two localities.
During working sessions, the two sides review the past cooperation and identified new orientations for the upcoming period.
Nouvelle-Aquitaine has helped Lao Cai research and develop various temperate fruit trees that are suitable for the province's soil, assisted the province in urban planning for eco-tourism development and building the Sa Pa tourism urban regulations in 2004, among others. The two sides especially valued their cooperation projects on planning and tourism development.
According to Giang, the cooperation results between Lao Cai and Nouvelle-Aquitaine have significantly contributed to further strengthening relationship between Vietnam and France.
The two sides agreed on solutions, mechanisms, and resources, and signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation to improve and promote the effectiveness of the cooperation model in the future.
On this occasion, the Regional Council of Nouvelle-Aquitaine hosted a ceremony to celebrate the 20th anniversary of its cooperation with Lao Cai.
Addressing the event, Alain Rousset, President of the Nouvelle-Aquitaine Regional Council, proposed that the two sides agree on specific areas of cooperation, focusing on such fields as protecting and promoting the value of cultural and natural heritage, and training and developing human resources.
Giang thanked the French government and the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region in particular for their support and cooperation, expressing his desire to further strengthen partnership between the two localities in the future./.
