In the meeting, Minister Nguyễn Quân highly appreciated Iran’s S&T progress achieved over recent years in some fields which the two parties have advantages. The Minister said that together with promoting to sign official legal documents, supporting Vietnam with opening Department of Persian language in universities, it would create the foundation for Vietnam – Iran cooperation in some other fields as agriculture, health, new material technology …
Mr. Hossein Alvandi Behineh, Iran’s Ambassador said that Iran has been one of countries which have strengths on S&T, especially nano technology, biology technology, information technology,… These are fields which the two parties can cooperate, train and exchange experts. In addition, some cooperation and training activities have been carried out as granting scholarships for Vietnamese students to go and learn Persian language; doing research on culture, social history, Iranian studies; supporting the National University of Social Sciences and Humanities to open classes to teach Persian language … right after the two parties sign the Memorandum of Understanding between Teheran University and the National University of Social Sciences and Humanities (Vietnam National University of Hanoi).
Photo: Minister Nguyễn Quân met with Iran’s Ambassador
In the meeting with Israel’s Ambassador, Minister Nguyễn Quân said that Israel has been one country which has many S&T strengths, especially in fields of high-tech agriculture using advancements of biology technology. In addition, fields of information technology and national defense technology have also been Israel’s prominent strengths. However, so far the two parties haven’t been able to carry out many specific cooperative activities in these fields. Therefore the signing of official legal documents between MOST and Israel on S&T Cooperation is really necessary.
The two parties agreed to take efforts so that the Protocol on establishing Vietnam – Israel Inter-government Committee would be signed in the soonest time. Based on that, the two parties would official have the first session outside the conference on new and recycled energy to be organized in Israel in November 2012.
Minister Nguyễn Quân in the meeting with Israel’s Ambassador
Discussing with Minister Nguyễn Quân, New Zealand’s Ambassador – Ms. Heather Riddell said that New Zealand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Commerce has approved the design of the Project on developing high-quality fruit seedling in Vietnam. The success of the Project would bring in the meaning of strategic cooperation on S&T in the agriculture field between the two countries. Accordingly, programs relating to post-harvest technology to develop new and high-quality fruit seedling, mainly focusing on blue dragon will be transferred to Vietnam through two agencies of Southern Research Institute for Fruit Trees and Post-harvest Agriculture Mechanics Sub-Institute.
Minister Nguyễn Quân and New Zealand’s Ambassador
On behalf of MOST, Minister Nguyễn Quân acknowledged support and assistance of the Government of Iran, Israel and New Zealand over the past time for Vietnam on many fields including S&T. Through bridges which are Embassies, the above-mentioned good relations would be developed in depths for the coming time.
The Ambassadors also thanked the Minister for spending his time for meeting and expressing their desires to have MOST’s support and consensus for the time they have theirs terms in Vietnam, contributing to promote cooperative relations between Vietnam and Iran, Israel, New Zealand to be developed more.