Vietnam, EU progress in PCA negotiations

Vietnam and the European Union have fully agreed on two thirds of the articles after the sixth round of negotiations on the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA), according to Sean Doyle, head of the European Commission Delegation to Vietnam.

During the two-day meeting, which concluded in Hanoi on February 2, the two sides continued their discussions on political, security, trade and investment cooperation.

They made progress in the exchange of information and cooperation on a number of articles including those on regional and international organizations, bilateral and regional cooperation and counter-terrorism.

They also discussed cooperation in fighting against international organized crime, money laundering and support for Vietnam to cope with natural disasters.

Doyle said “We are making progress… There is a goodwill on both sides to come to an agreement.”

“The whole trade area is complicated and this is a partnership and cooperation which is a political agreement, but we also planned the negotiations with Vietnam on the Free Trade Agreement which we hope will begin the next couple of months,” he said.

The EU official said there are at least two more rounds, but “we could possible finish negotiations within this year.”

The next round will be held in Brussels in the second quarter.

VOVNews/VNS

Tags: Vietnam EU business forum, Vietnam EU cooperation