27/04/2021 (Agence Europe) – The European Parliament approved, by 632 votes to 23 with 38 abstentions, the report by Karin Karlsbro (Renew Europe, Sweden) consenting to the Voluntary Partnership Agreement (VPA) between the EU and Honduras, as well as the accompanying draft resolution (576 votes in favour, 54 against and 69 abstentions) on Monday 26 and Tuesday 27 April. The agreement, concluded between the two partners on 23 February 2021, is intended to guarantee the legality of timber in Honduras. It will enable the country to issue FLEGT (Forest Law Enforcement Governance and Trade) licences, guaranteeing that the timber has been harvested, processed and exported in accordance with Honduran legislation. “The EU Honduras agreement is important because it is an example of how trade agreements can be used to promote sustainability in third countries”, Karin Karlsbro told EUROPE. (LM)