European Parliament backs EU-Vietnam FTA

The European Parliament (EP) advocates the signing of the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) to since it benefits Vietnam, the EU and other Southeast Asian nations, executives of the EP’s International Trade Committee (INTA) have said.
The European Parliament (EP) advocates the signing of the EU-VietnamFree Trade Agreement (EVFTA) to since it benefits Vietnam, the EU andother Southeast Asian nations, executives of the EP’s InternationalTrade Committee (INTA) have said.

During areception for a Vietnamese delegation of the National Assembly’sCommittee on External Relations led by its Vice Chairperson Ngo Duc Manhin Brussels, Belgium on May 12, INTA Chairman Bernd Lange and ViceChairman Jan Zahradil hailed Vietnam’s reputation in the internationalarena, highlighting the country’s position as a gateway to theAssociation of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

The twoINTA leaders spoke of Vietnam’s significant economic achievements,socio-political order and security, saying these have created impetusfor foreign investment in the country.

For hispart, Manh expressed his hope that the INTA would push for theconclusion of negotiations on and the signing of the EVFTA to fostertrade exchanges between Vietnam and the EU.

Previously, Chief Negotiator of the EU Mauro Petriccione hailed theprogress of negotiations on the EVFTA, saying the two sides could wrapup negotiations at the final talks in this June.

He highlighted the outcomes of the negotiation rounds and expressed hisbelief that the two sides would soon reach consensus on matters raisedby Manh, such in the garment-textiles sector, governmental procurementand tax cuts.

He also called for jointefforts to address bottlenecks to speed up the negotiation process onand ratification of the trade deal.

The sameday, European Commissioner for Trade Cecilia Malmstrom, andrepresentatives of EU bodies, and other international, social and civilorganisations gathered at a round table for the EVFTA.

Participants, including Vietnamese Ambassador to Belgium Vuong ThuaPhong, discussed trade, sustainable development and human rights in therelationship between the EU and Vietnam.-VNA

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