
Brussels (VNA) – The Vietnamese Government and the EuropeanCommission (EC) have pledged to carry out the Europe-Vietnam Free TradeAgreement (EVFTA) and the Investment Protection Agreement (IPA) in a timely andeffective manner.
The commitment is expressed in a joint statement issuedby Vietnam’s Minister of Industry and Trade Tran Tuan Anh and EuropeanCommissioner for Trade Cecilia Cecilia Malmström following their meeting on October 19in Brussels on the sidelines of the 12th Asia-Europe Meeting Summit(ASEM 12).
The statement said the Vietnamese Government ispreparing plans to fulfill obligations under the free trade agreements whilethe EC stands ready to support the necessary reforms and adjustments throughtechnical assistance.
Both sides acknowledged the relevance of the trade and sustainable development chapterof the FTA and agreed to jointly promote initiatives in this field, including theratification of the outstanding fundamental ILO conventions.
Attheir meeting, both sides spoke highly of the efforts and advancement madeafter completing the legal review process for the two free trade pacts lastsummer. The Vietnamese minister lauded the European Commission for its approvaland submission of the deals to the European Council for approval on October 17. -VNA