VN, EU vow to complete final procedures for early FTA signing

Deputy PM Vuong Dinh Hue and EC Vice President Jyrki Kaitanen, Brussels, Belgium, September 18, 2017. Photo: VGP

The agreement was reached between Deputy PM Vuong Dinh Hue and Vice President Jyrki Kaitanen of the European Commission in Brussels, Belgium on September 18.

Deputy PM Hue said the signing of the trade deal will be of significant importance to boost trade liberalization process amid rising protectionsm.

The EC leader highly valued Viet Nam's determination and goodwill, affirming that the EU attaches importance to the EVFTA as it is part of its policy toward global trade liberalization to make sure that the trading system works on law basis and helps foster economic growth and job creation.

The two sides agreed that the ratified Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA) has created an important legal framework to push Viet Nam-EU ties to a new stage of comprehensive and deep cooperation.

Both sides agreed to continue close coordination and enhance consultation to improve the effectiveness of their cooperation within multilateral mechanisms, especially ASEM and ASEAN-EU.

Deputy PM Hue took the occasion to ask the EU side to continue official development assistance for Viet Nam through bilateral and multilateral channels as well as its support for the ASEAN Community and the Community's central role in the regional architecture.

The same day, Deputy PM Hue also met with Secretary General Kunio Mikuriya of the World Customs Organization./.

By Ngoc Van