On Wednesday 10 April, MEPs approved by a large majority the conclusion of a Voluntary Partnership Agreement (VPA) between the EU and the Republic of Côte d'Ivoire on forest law enforcement, governance and trade in timber and timber products to the European Union (FLEGT). The VPA guarantees the legality of timber cut in Côte d'Ivoire and exported to the EU.
This partnership is “an opportunity to reach a mutually beneficial agreement”, according to the European Parliament’s rapporteur for the text, Karin Karlsbro (Renew Europe, Swedish). However, it stresses that the EU “must carefully monitor its application and offer capacity support to ensure effective implementation”.
Côte d'Ivoire has one of the highest rates of deforestation in the world. The EU has concluded similar agreements with Honduras and Guyana in recent years. (Original version in French by Léa Marchal)