DELHI:EROS TIMES: Manish Sisodia, Deputy Chief Minister of Delhi received a delegation from Fukuoka Prefectural Government on 25 March at the Secretariat. The delegation was led by Shoji Hirano, Assistant Director, International Affairs Bureau, Daiki Abe, Staff – International Affairs Bureau and Tsubasa Nanako, Second Secretary, Japan Embassy in Delhi. Senior bureaucrats including the officials from the Archaeology Department joined Sisodia for the deliberations.
The delegation discussed about the extension of the MoU/Friendship Agreement between both the government which is to expired in March 2020. Deputy Chief Minister acknowledged that the twin city agreement signed by CM Arvind Kejriwal and His Excellency Governor of Fukuoka Prefectural Government, JapanHiroshi Ogawa contributed immensely in the areas of Environment, Air Pollution, Culture, Tourism & Heritage, Education and Youth Exchange between Delhi and Fukuoka.
He categorically expressed Delhi government’s desire not only to extend the agreement, but also to increase the areas of co-operation between Delhi and Fukuoka. Also, Delhi government will explore creative ideas for the re-development of Delhi from the Fukuoka Experience.
The preparations for the extension of the MoU will start in July this year and will be completed before March 2020.
An expert team on Culture and Heritage from Fukuoka Prefectural Government led by Takirami will be visiting Delhi in the first week of November and the dates will be finalized later.
The Fukuoka team expressed its interest to have the renewed MoU for longer time period as they want to analyze the concrete results of the mutual collaboration.
Dy. CM, Manish Sisodia thanked the delegation for the invaluable opportunities and experience that the Government and the people of Delhi got through this mutual cooperation. He also appreciated the hospitality and warmth given to the delegation from Delhi in November 2018.