By PNA and U.S. News Agency / Asian

Ireland has offered to assist Vietnam in clearing unexploded bombs, mines and other explosive devices left over from the American War.

The Memorandum of Understanding was signed by the visiting Irish Minister for Trade and Development, Joe Costello, and the president of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations, Vu Xuan Hong, in Hanoi Monday.

Ireland has also agreed to help support disabled people, including war victims.

Costello said at the signing ceremony that he had approved a new aid package worth 600,000 EUR (US $ 774,000) for the Mines Advisory Group for clearance activities in the central provinces of Quang Tri and Quang Binh during the next three years.

The work will then be expanded to neighboring Quang Nam province.

“Irish Aid will also provide up to 2 million EUR (US $ 2.5 million) a year between 2012 and 2015 to increase NGOs’ participation in poverty reduction and policy making as well as improving the rights and roles of disabled people in Vietnam”, the minister said.

Hong thanked the Irish Government and agencies for their assistance and said his organization would continue its close co-ordination with relevant agencies to create all favorable conditions for Irish projects to operate effectively in Viet Nam and promote the solidarity and friendship between the two countries.