EU-Vietnam FTA needs to balance interests: Deputy PM
The EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) needs to balance both sides’ interests and respects the articles that they have agreed on, Deputy Prime Minister Vuong Dinh Hue told Ambassador Bruno Angelet, head of the EU Delegation to Vietnam.
Deputy Prime Minister Vuong Dinh Hue (R) meets with Ambassador Bruno Angelet, head of the EU Delegation to Vietnam, on November 21 (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – The EU-Vietnam Free TradeAgreement (EVFTA) needs to balance both sides’ interests and respects thearticles that they have agreed on, Deputy Prime Minister Vuong Dinh Hue toldAmbassador Bruno Angelet, head of the EU Delegation to Vietnam.
At a working session in Hanoi on November 21,Hue affirmed that the EVFTA is important to both Vietnam and the EU, asking thetwo sides to coordinate to speed up the signing and ratification of the tradepact in the first half of 2018.
The revision of economic cooperation contentsshould only relate to issues about the EU-Vietnam Framework Agreementon Comprehensive Partnership and Cooperation (PCA), other fields suchas human rights should not be added, he noted.
He emphasised Vietnam’s policy of coordinatingwith the international community to better protect human rights on the basis ofrespect to historical and cultural differences and straightforward dialogue tonarrow differences.
The Deputy PM also expressed his regret at theEU’s issuance of a “yellow card” which warns Vietnam for illegal, unreportedand unregulated (IUU) fishing. He noted that this issuance resulted in a morecomplicated environment amid the two sides’ enhancement of trade and investmentcooperation.
Vietnam appreciates the EU’s warning, which aimsto help the country tackle IUU fishing, he said, adding that its agencies havebeen taking synchronous solutions to solve, prevent and minimise IUU fishing.
Hue voiced his hope that the EU will soon removethe “yellow card” so as not to worry Vietnamese fishermen or affect the EVFTAsigning.
Ambassador Angelet said the EU will work closelywith Vietnam to carry out necessary solutions in order to soon remove the“yellow card” for Vietnam’s fishery products.
He also highly valued the VietnameseGovernment’s activeness in directing ministries and sectors under theVietnam-EU Joint Committee to take necessary steps to implement the EVFTA in2018.
The PCA is important to accelerating the EVFTAsigning and ratification, he noted, adding that to implement the PCA, aVietnam-EU human rights dialogue will be held next week, and this dialogue willhelp deepen mutual understanding and strengthen bilateral relations in the timeahead.-VNA
Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and Chair of the European Parliament’s International Trade Committee (INTA) Bernd Lange discussed the signing of the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) during their meeting in Hanoi on September 14.
The European Parliament’s Committee on International Trade and the Vietnamese Government have agreed to make concerted efforts for the ratification of the EU-Vietnam FTA in the next eight or nine months.
Vietnam hasn’t had any free trade agreements (FTAs) with EU member countries, but with the importance of Vietnam-EU relations, a bilateral new-generation FTA is critical to promoting their economic ties.
The European Union is ready to support Vietnam’s seafood industry, but it has to review its fisheries management and address its shortcomings, the First Counselor of the EU Delegation to Vietnam, Miriam Garcia Ferrer, told a meeting in HCM City on November 9.
Vietnam will never tolerate or permit activities related to illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) Vu Van Tam has said.
While German consumers are familiar with Vietnamese products such as coffee, seafood, tea, and spices, many other quality items remain relatively unknown in the market. The Selgros event not only helped introduce Bac Giang lychee to German consumers but also provided them with the opportunity to experience other Vietnamese agricultural products.
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During the visit, office representatives held a working session with the Tipaza Chamber of Commerce and Industry and met with several prominent local businesses operating in key sectors including industry, agriculture, fisheries, food processing, chemicals, pharmaceuticals and plastics.
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The event aimed to update businesses on new regulations and compliance requirements regarding US tax, trade, and customs policies, while offering practical solutions to facilitate exports amid shifting trade dynamics.
The festival marks a significant milestone in promoting the brand, value, and legacy of traditional fish sauce - a product deeply rooted in the island’s identity and history spanning over 200 years.
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Tuan expressed his confidence that LH, with its expertise and experience, would swiftly implement the urban area project, contributing to a modern urban landscape for the province.
With its strategic location, abundant workforce, and modern infrastructure, Vietnam holds significant potential to become a leading centre for power and electronics production in the region and the world.
The renewable energy workforce training and development centre, invested by Germany's GEO Group, is expected to be a cornerstone in shaping Binh Dinh as a renewable energy and innovation hub in central Vietnam, meeting the growing demand for skilled technical personnel in offshore wind, solar farms, and green hydrogen projects.
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The participation of H&M, one of the world's largest fashion corporations, in Vietnam International Sourcing 2025 in Ho Chi Minh City in early September is considered a special highlight, opening up many cooperation opportunities for Vietnamese businesses in the fashion, textiles and sustainable supply chains.
This latest order builds on a previous agreement signed at the Singapore Airshow last year for 40 engines, bringing the total number of Trent 7000 engines ordered by the airline to 80.
Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien acknowledged that despite concerted efforts by ministries and local authorities in combating fake and substandard goods, the situation remains highly complicated, attributing the persistent challenges to high profits luring numerous participants, increasingly sophisticated violations, limited resources within enforcement agencies.
Deputy Prime Minister Vuong Dinh Hue (R) meets with Ambassador Bruno Angelet, head of the EU Delegation to Vietnam, on November 21 (Photo: VNA) 
