NA Chairwoman meets Chairman of EP’s int’l trade committee

National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan (R) and Chairman of the European Parliament (EP)’s Committee on International Trade (INTA) Bernd Lange

At the meeting, Bernd Lange told his guest that he had made every effort to accelerate the signing and ratification of the EVFTA, and explained that the process had been delayed as the EU has to deal with some issues, including Brexit. 

The agreement might be signed and approved in June or July, after the EP completes its elections and begins a new term, he said. 

Bernd Lange said the cooperation between the EU and Viet Nam is on the right track, and a dialogue mechanism is necessary for Viet Nam and the EU to deal with issues of difference.  

In turn, National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan said she has looked forward to the meeting as a chance to discuss the EU-Viet Nam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) with the INTA – an important agency of the EP. 

Viet Nam is focusing on realising commitments it made in the deal with good will and specific actions, she said, adding that the Vietnamese NA is working to turn those commitments into laws. 

She said the Vietnamese NA has asked local agencies to address the recommendations that the EP had made during past working trips to Viet Nam by the INTA Chairman and EP Vice President Heidi Hautala. 

The leader expressed her hope that the INTA will support the prioritization of issues regarding the EVFTA and the Investment Protection Agreement (IPA) between Viet Nam and the EU in the EP’s agenda at the beginning of the new tenure. 

Talking about labour-related issues, NA Chairwoman Ngan said there are differences in the views of Viet Nam and the EU on some labour issues, but Viet Nam will carefully consider the recommendations made by the EU and the EP.

Echoing Bernd Lange’s views, Ngan said the Vietnamese legislature stands ready to welcome representatives of the INTA and other EP agencies to Viet Nam to engage in dialogues, thus helping narrow differences and reach common perceptions.

She stressed that Viet Nam’s Labour Code has been built in the spirit of protecting interests of labourers, adding that the revision of the code has been started and the NA is scheduled to give opinions on the revision at its May meeting. 

By Vien Nhu