Avenues for cooperation in water industry were discussed in a meeting in Tehran between officials of the Energy Ministry and Netherland's Ministry of Infrastructure and Environment on Sunday.
Bahram Taheri, an advisor to the ministry, and Henk Snoeken, deputy director of international affairs at the Dutch ministry, discussed water management and governance, research and development as well as risk reduction in water projects, IRNA reported.
Water governance is a set of rules, practices, and processes through which decisions for the management of water resources and services are taken and implemented, and decision-makers are held accountable.
Last October, a memorandum of understanding was signed between the Dutch Minister of Infrastructure and Environment Melanie Schultz van Haegen, and Energy Minister Hamid Chitchian. The visiting minister had expressed willingness to cooperate with Iran in desalination and agricultural wastewater treatment.
Issues such as river management, water shortage as well as training Iranians in Dutch companies could pave the way for expanding two-way ties.
"Faced with major water-related challenges, Iran is finding it increasingly difficult to provide the population with potable water and have sufficient water available for industry and agriculture," Schultz van Haegen said at the time.
According to the Dutch Ambassador Susanna Terstal, the Netherlands has taken practical steps to expand economic ties with Iran as is evident in the regular visits to Tehran by high-ranking Dutch officials. A joint economic commission has been formed and cooperation in key energy and water sectors is underway.
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