The Vietnamese government remains vague about its concrete commitments to implement the sustainable provisions of the EU-Vietnam Trade Agreement (see EUROPE 12364/18). MEPs do not appreciate this vagueness with less than 2 weeks to go before the vote on the agreement in committee.
In a letter dated 6 January, Nguyên Xuân Phuc, Prime Minister of Vietnam, replied to the intergroup letter co-signed by the EPP, S&D, Renew Europe and ECR (see EUROPE 12394/21), stressing that his government is working on a plan to implement the sustainable provisions of the EVFTA , the Free Trade Agreement (FTA). It will include the establishment of the FTA Domestic Consultation Group, now provided for in all so-called "new generation" FTAs and composed of civil society organisations. Its mission will be to advise the government on the implementation of the sustainable development chapter.
"Our government will provide every support for the effective operation of the (domestic consultation) Group and facilitate its contribution to the implementation of the EVFTA commitments on sustainable development", promises the Prime Minister in his letter.
He also wanted to issue reassurances about his country's commitment to human rights.
More detailed information
Nguyên Xuân Phuc also promises the European Parliament that "detailed information" will soon be shared with it on the procedure for revising the Labour Code and Vietnam's ratification of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) fundamental conventions.
However, this additional information will have to reach Parliament's Trade Committee without delay, as the vote on the two trade agreements with Vietnam - a free trade agreement and an investment protection agreement - is still scheduled for 21 January.
While there seems to be a favourable majority in the political groups, some MEPs are still reluctant to confirm these agreements with Hanoi, whose human rights record remains highly controversial.
According to parliamentary sources, committee chair Bernd Lange (S&D, Germany) would consider a further postponement, but nothing has been confirmed at this stage.
Zahradil replaced
Accusations of conflict of interest by rapporteur Jan Zahradil (ECR, Czech Republic) have in the meantime led to his replacement in this function by Belgian MEP Geert Bourgeois (see EUROPE 12386/34) from the same group. Mr Zahradil is now under investigation by a European Parliament advisory group.
To consult the Vietnamese letter: http://bit.ly/2QVtpvW (Original version in French by Hermine Donceel)