PM calls for signing of VN-Customs Union FTA in early 2015

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has urged negotiation delegations of Vietnam and the Customs Union of Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan to soon complete remaining procedures for the signing of their Free Trade Agreement (FTA) in early 2015.
Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has urged negotiation delegations ofVietnam and the Customs Union of Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstanto soon complete remaining procedures for the signing of their FreeTrade Agreement (FTA) in early 2015.

At his reception forTrade Minister of the Eurasian Economic Commission Andrey Slepnev,who is head of the Union’s negotiation delegation, in the southernprovince of Kien Giang on December 15, the PM stressed the signing andimplementation of the agreement will be an important step to liftthe traditional relations between Vietnam and the Union’s member nationsto a higher level.

He said he believes that along withpolitical, economic, trade and investment ties, FTA is a foundation forboth sides to forge their links in other domains such aseducation-training, science-technique, and culture.

Vietnamalways attaches importance to and will do its utmost to further promoteits practical and effective cooperation with Russia, Belarus andKazakhstan for mutual development and prosperity, the PM said.

Forhis part, Andrey said that besides negotiators’ efforts, the supportfrom the two sides’ high-ranking officials play a vital role inconcluding the FTA talks.

He expressed hisbelief that once the agreement takes effect, it will serve as aneffective tool for cooperation between Vietnam and the Union, especiallyas the former is the only country in the Asia-Pacific region joiningall the regional integration processes.

From 2015, the CustomsUnion will be changed into the Eurasian Economic Union with theadmission of Armenia and Kyrgyzstan and the FTA will enableVietnam to become a bridge linking the two key economic regions, henoted.

The deal will also help bring Vietnam-Russia trade to 10 billion USD before 2020.-VNA

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