At the signing ceremony, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Cao Duc Phat highlighted that experience exchange and cooperation in agriculture is essential for the Ministry to accelerate the restructuring process towards raising added value and sustainable development.

The minister emphasised that Vietnam treasures cooperation with Ireland. Since the establishment of diplomatic ties in 1996, the two countries have conducted a number of high-ranking visits, aiming to boost cooperation in politics, diplomacy and others.

The MoU will create a legal foundation to enhance cooperation between the two nations as it focuses on such areas as aquatic production, preservation industry, post-harvest, quality control and trade promotion in agriculture and aquaculture, Phat said.

For his part, Ireland Ambassador to Vietnam Damien Cole said Ireland attaches special attention to strengthening agricultural cooperation with Vietnam which is a key to develop bilateral economic cooperation in the future.

Ireland is experienced in shifting from an agricultural to a modern industrial country, the ambassador said.

Last year agricultural imports and exports value between the two countries hit more than 183 million euro.