ASEAN-EU FTA expected to be approved by year-end
Economic ministers from member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and EU Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmstrom on March 2 reached consensus on the official ratification of EU-ASEAN Free Trade Agreement (ASEAN-EU FTA) by the end of 2018.
Participants attend the 16th ASEAN Economic Ministers-European Union Trade Commissioner Consultations in Singapore on March 2, 2018 (Source: Xinhua)Singapore (VNA) – Economic ministers from member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and EU Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmstrom on March 2 reached consensus on the official ratification of EU-ASEAN Free Trade Agreement (ASEAN-EU FTA) by the end of 2018.
Speaking at the 16th ASEAN Economic Ministers-EU Trade Commissioner Consultations which was held on the sideline of the 24th ASEAN Economic Ministers' (AEM) Retreat in Singapore, Malmstrom stressed the two sides will work to get to the final stages for approving the important agreement, affirming that this will help expand the EU-ASEAN cooperation.
The two sides noted a progress report of the ASEAN-EU Joint Working Group on the building of a framework of the ASEAN-EU FTA in the future.
The ASEAN economic ministers and the EU Trade Commissioner asked ASEAN senior economic officials to early complete the framework basing on consultation processes in their countries, and dialogues between the two sides as well.
The economic chiefs thanked the EU for its support in implementing programmes and initiatives under the ASEAN Regional Integration Support (ARISE) project, and the Capacity Building Project for Monitoring Integration Progress and Statistics (COMPASS) programme.
The two sides agreed that the success of the projects will contribute to strengthening trade ties between the two regions.
They also discussed global and regional economic development, and affirmed the importance to continuously foster economic collaboration between the two regions to take advantages of the global economy recovery.
Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Tran Quoc Khanh, head of the Vietnamese delegation, said as a coordinator of the ASEAN-EU cooperation, Vietnam has actively promoted dialogues and information exchanges between ASEAN nations and EU to boost research and negotiations with EU on the draft framework of a future ASEAN-EU FTA.-VNA
You should also see
Dien Bien: Tua Chua's tourism potential needs to be further promoted
Tua Chua highland district in the northwestern mountainous province of Dien Bien boasts a lot of potential and advantages for the development of top-tier tourism.
See more
World
Thai central bank intervenes to stabilise currency
The Bank of Thailand (BoT) said it has intervened in currency markets at times to ease any excessive moves in the THB, adding that the current policy rate is robust and conducive to economic recovery, reported the Bangkok Post.
World
Vietnam appeals for maximum self-restraint, end to hostilities in Middle East
A representative of Vietnam appealed to all the parties concerned to exercise maximum self-restraint and to end hostilities, while addressing a United Nations Security Council (UNSC) open debate on the Middle East and Palestine situation on March 25.
World
Indonesia’s coffee exports surpass imports
Indonesia’s coffee exports have surpassed imports for 47 consecutive months since May 2020, the Central Statistics Agency (BPS) has reported.
World
Thailand expects wave of tourists during Golden Week
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) estimates that about 996,000 foreign tourists will visit the Southeast Asian country between April 26 and May 5, known as the Golden Week holidays in Japan, during which Chinese tourists also prefer to travel overseas.
World
Argentinian media praises Dien Bien Phu Victory
Argentinian newspapers have called Vietnam's Dien Bien Phu Victory (May 7, 1954) a symbol of the national liberation movement of oppressed and colonialised peoples worldwide.
