The European Parliament (EP) heard reports on the progress ofnegotiations on the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) in Brusselson February 24 ahead of the final round of negotiations to take placein Vietnam in March 2015.

Chief Negotiator ofthe EU Mauro Petriccione noted that as Vietnam is the first developingcountry to get involved in FTA negotiations with the EU, the EU hastaken into consideration Vietnam’s development level and has showedcertain flexibility in the negotiation process.

Heoutlined basic contents of the trade pact, including the union’spriorities to government purchase, State-run businesses, and marketopening for goods, services and investment.

Thechief negotiator said he believed the two sides can wrap up thenegotiation at the March talks and the EP will quickly ratify the pact.

Vice Chairman of the EP’s International TradeCommittee (INTA) Jan Zahradil expressed satisfaction at the outcomes ofthe past negotiation rounds, adding that based on these results and thepace of negotiation, the two sides can hope for an early conclusion ofthe EVFTA.

Vietnamese Ambassador to Belgium andhead of the Vietnamese Delegation to the EU Vuong Thua Phonghighlighted the significance of the pact to Vietnam.

He underlined Vietnam’s political will to accelerate thenegotiation in line with its policy of comprehensive internationalintegration.

Phong said he hopes the two sides willconclude the FTA in the first quarter of 2015 in accordance with theagreements and directions of their leaders.

He alsotook this occasion to call upon the European parliamentarians tocontinuously support Vietnam and actively speed up the negotiationprocess and ratification of this trade deal.-VNA