A month before their vote on the two trade agreements with Vietnam - a free trade agreement and an investment protection agreement (see EUROPE 12364/18) - many MEPs on the Trade Committee are still hesitating to sign with Hanoi.
The week of 16 December, MEPs from four political groups - Socialist (S&D), centre-right (EPP), liberal (Renew Europe) and conservative (ECR) - sent a letter to the Prime Minister of Vietnam and to the European Commission demanding commitments from Hanoi on respect for human rights and labour standards.
In a press release dated 19 December, the S&D also expressed "concern" about Hanoi's compliance with its commitments, suggesting that the group would not support the agreements. It calls for adding a "binding roadmap" for the implementation of the commitments in the trade and sustainable development chapter before deciding on their final voting position.
For the Greens, there is no question: ratification must be postponed, as several conditions are not met by this country led by a single Communist Party. Reforms of the Penal Code, the Labour Code, and the release of political prisoners are among the demands of these deputies.
The Committee on International Trade will vote on these agreements on 21 January 2020. (Original version in French by Hermine Donceel)