Brussels, 08/09/2006 (Agence Europe) - Welcoming the Vietnamese Trade Minister, Truong Dinh Tuyen, to Brussels on Thursday, Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson gave his assurance that the European Union “no longer sees any obstacles to Vietnam's membership to the WTO in the near future”, possibly this October. “Vietnam has made remarkable progress towards WTO accession” since 2004 (the date for beginning bilateral talks) in meeting the conditions for WTO membership, Mandelson said after two days of bilateral consultation that allowed both parties to resolve all the outstanding issues in order to endorse Vietnam's accession to the Geneva-based multilateral organisation. In May, Hanoi had signed the last bilateral agreement necessary for its membership with Washington. However, at the seat of the WTO, it is asserted that final clarification is needed to ensure that the 149 members of the organisation can allow Vietnam to enter their ranks in October.
Messrs Mandelson and Tuyen also addressed the issue of Community anti-dumping duties against imports of Vietnamese (and Chinese) leather footwear. We recall that the Commission adopted definitive anti-dumping measures end August this year and, if these measures are accepted by the Member States (which are to give their stance by end September), this could affect up to 10% of leather shoe imports from Vietnam from 7 October (EUROPE 9254). While Peter Mandelson again defended a proposal that he considers “balanced”, Mr Tuyen hoped Member States would adopt a “more satisfactory solution” for his country.