EU Trade Commissioner Karel De Gucht will tour three ASEAN countries ofVietnam, Cambodia and Myanmar from March 17-20, with the aim ofstrengthening trade ties between the EU and the Association of SoutheastAsian Nations (ASEAN).
“I’m looking forward toconstructive talks with our partners in Southeast Asia”, said thecommissioner. “Experience is showing how opening up to trade ishelping these dynamic countries raise living standards. At the sametime, their markets provide opportunities for European exporters, so wereally do have a win-win situation.”
Hisarrival in Hanoi, also his first stopover, will coincide with the startof the 7th round of negotiations on a free trade agreement (FTA)between the EU and Vietnam, which is slated for March 17-21.
Once completed, the agreement will boost bilateral trade andinvestment ties and provide more cooperative opportunities for bothsides’ businesses. It will cover trade in goods and services,investment, intellectual property rights, non-tariff barriers and foodsafety and hygiene issues.
Vietnam and theEU have enjoyed strong development in bilateral trade ties. Last year,Vietnam became the EU’s 4th largest trade partner in the ASEAN. In2013, two-way trade reached nearly 30 billion USD.
In Cambodia, Karel De Gucht will hold talks with Minister ofCommerce Sun Chanthol, during which they will discuss activities of therecently-established EU-Cambodia Joint Committee.
Their two-way trade increased to 2.8 billion EUR (3.9 billion USD) in 2013 from 2.1 billion EUR in 2012.
During his first visit to Myanmar, the EU trade commissioner willmeet Minister of National Planning and Economic Development Kan Zaw andMinister of Commerce Win Myint. He is expected to launch thenegotiations of an EU-Myanmar investment protection agreement.
Two-way trade between the two countries enjoyed a year-on-yearincrease of 41 percent last year, from 403 million EUR in 2012 to 569million EUR in 2013.-VNA
“I’m looking forward toconstructive talks with our partners in Southeast Asia”, said thecommissioner. “Experience is showing how opening up to trade ishelping these dynamic countries raise living standards. At the sametime, their markets provide opportunities for European exporters, so wereally do have a win-win situation.”
Hisarrival in Hanoi, also his first stopover, will coincide with the startof the 7th round of negotiations on a free trade agreement (FTA)between the EU and Vietnam, which is slated for March 17-21.
Once completed, the agreement will boost bilateral trade andinvestment ties and provide more cooperative opportunities for bothsides’ businesses. It will cover trade in goods and services,investment, intellectual property rights, non-tariff barriers and foodsafety and hygiene issues.
Vietnam and theEU have enjoyed strong development in bilateral trade ties. Last year,Vietnam became the EU’s 4th largest trade partner in the ASEAN. In2013, two-way trade reached nearly 30 billion USD.
In Cambodia, Karel De Gucht will hold talks with Minister ofCommerce Sun Chanthol, during which they will discuss activities of therecently-established EU-Cambodia Joint Committee.
Their two-way trade increased to 2.8 billion EUR (3.9 billion USD) in 2013 from 2.1 billion EUR in 2012.
During his first visit to Myanmar, the EU trade commissioner willmeet Minister of National Planning and Economic Development Kan Zaw andMinister of Commerce Win Myint. He is expected to launch thenegotiations of an EU-Myanmar investment protection agreement.
Two-way trade between the two countries enjoyed a year-on-yearincrease of 41 percent last year, from 403 million EUR in 2012 to 569million EUR in 2013.-VNA
