Wallonia parliament holds third hearing on EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement
Brussels (VNA) – The parliament of Belgium’s Wallonia region held the third
hearing on the European Union-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) on January
19.
Mauro
Petriccione, head of the EU negotiation delegation for the EVFTA, gave a
presentation before the parliament on Vietnam’s social-economic development and
assessment of the country’s advantages as well as the benefits that the EU can
gain when the agreement is signed.
He noted that
Vietnam has a potential market and is located in one of the world’s most
dynamic regions. The country has made many efforts in reforming administrative
procedures and social policies.
On the trade
relationship between Vietnam and Belgium, Petriccione said the annual two-way
trade value reached two billion EUR (2.1 billion USD) and Belgium is Vietnam’s
sixth largest trade partner in the EU.
He highlighted
the fact that the EVFTA is the first agreement the EU negotiated and signed
with a developing country and is a comprehensive, balanced and win-win deal.
After the
presentation of Mauro Petriccione, lawmakers raised many questions, focusing on
Vietnam’s social-economic situation and added values that the EVFTA can bring to
the EU and the business community.
Two more
hearings on the EVFTA will be held on January 26 and 30.-VNA