Chairman of the European Parliament (EP)'s Committee on International Trade (INTA) Bernd Lange (sixth from left) has a meeting with NA Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan during his trip to Vietnam. (Photo: VNA)Hanoi (VNA) – Chairmanof the European Parliament (EP)’s Committee on International Trade (INTA) BerndLange and INTA Vice Chairman Jan Zahradil highly evaluated Vietnam’s readinessand meticulous preparations for the approval of the EU-Vietnam Free TradeAgreement (EVFTA) and the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (IPA) duringa working trip to Vietnam from October 28-31.
Lange told the press onOctober 31 that during his stay, he had the chance to discuss the agreementswith high-ranking leaders, ministries, sectors and the business community sothat he and the INTA could carry out a thorough evaluation of Vietnam’s abilityto implement the pacts in the future.
He particularly laid stresson the meeting with Chairwoman of the National Assembly (NA) Nguyen Thi KimNgan, during which both sides talked about Vietnam’s progress to realise thetwo deals in tandem with the consideration and approval of three conventions ofthe International Labour Organisation (ILO).
The Vietnamese parliament hasalready adopted ILO Convention No. 98 concerning the application of principlesof the right to organise and to bargain collectively, he said, adding thatConvention No. 105 on the abolition of forced labour and Convention No. 87 onfreedom of association were due for consideration.
He described Vietnam’srevised Labour Code 2019, which is expected to be passed at the 14th NA’s ongoing 8th session, as an important step to protecting socialrights, safety and security.
Responding to reporters’queries, the INTA Chairman said the EP sees the implementation of ILOconventions and cyber security law as important factors as they play animportant role in assuring the rights and benefits of people, workers andbusinesses.
Voting to pass the deals will first be held at the European Commission (EC) onJanuary 21, 2020 before a second vote at the EP’s plenary session in February2020 for official ratification of the pacts, he added.
Meanwhile, Zahradil said thesigning of the two deals indicated the sound ties between the EU and Vietnam.
Suggesting Vietnam and the EU grasp every opportunity to facilitate theratification of the EVFTA and IPA, Zahradil said he is looking forward topositive results in February next year./.
VNA
