Hanoi, Berlin step up ties

Nhan Dan/VNA - A Hanoi official has expressed his hope that his city and the German capital city Berlin can reach agreements on economic co-operation in the near future.

Hanoi, Berlin step up ties

Meeting with visiting Mayor of Berlin Klaus Wowereit in Hanoi on October 28, Hanoi People’s Committee Chairman Nguyen The Thao called on the two sides to collaborate on handling traffic-related issues and co-operate on human resources development, administrative reform and public education.

Hanoi will dispatch experts to Berlin to learn from the city’s experience in hydrology in order to revive the polluted To Lich River, he said.

The official voiced his hope that Mayor Wowereit’s visit would help further the co-operative relationship between Vietnam and Germany, as well as the one between the two capital cities in particular.

As the country’s centre of politics, economics, culture and education, Hanoi has recorded significant achievements in recent years, especially in the field of economics, he said.

However, the city faces a range of difficulties in investment and infrastructure development due to a large number of immigrants from other provinces, he added.

For his part, Klaus Wowereit said he has made this first-ever visit to Vietnam to discuss ways to improve bilateral co-operation and traditional ties between the two countries.

He described culture and economics as key areas that contribute to boosting bilateral ties.

The Mayor pledged that Berlin would send its experts to Hanoi to help the city with solid waste treatment, traffic and urban planning issues. He stands ready to sign co-operative agreements with the city in these fields.