Vietnam, US look for signing of customs assistance agreement

Illustrative image (Source: Internet)

Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnam and the US have signed a letter of intention on acceleratingand completing negotiations for the signing of a customsmutual assistance agreement between the two countries.

The letter of intention was inked during a recent meeting between visiting GeneralDirector of the General Department of Vietnam Customs Nguyen Van Can and ActingCommissioner at the US Customs and Border Protection Agency Kevin K. McAleeanin Washington D.C.

During theworking session, the two sides’ customs officials stressed the preparation for thesigning of the Customs Mutual Assistance Agreement (CMAA) at the APEC EconomicLeaders’ Meeting in Da Nang in November 2017.

They also appreciated the efforts and determination of both sides to advance tothe conclusion of the negotiations in May 2017 in the US.

They agreed to continue accelerating negotiations for the scheduled signing ofthe deal on the basis of practical interests brought by this to the two nationsin general, and to collaboration between the two agencies in particular.

Under the letter ofintention, the two customs agencies will try to reach consensus in remainingissues in the agreement, thus enabling the signing in November.-VNA

VNA