VietNamNet Bridge – The European Parliament (EP) is expected to hold a vote on the EU-Vietnam Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA) next month, which is seen as a positive step in EU-Vietnam ties.

Dr. Werner Langen, chair of the EP delegation for relations with Southeast Asia and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), said at a news briefing in Hanoi last week that PCA is the groundwork for bilateral relations between the EU and Vietnam because aside from economic and trade relations, it also covers other areas like human rights.

Regarding the EU-Vietnam free trade agreement (FTA), Langen said the FTA has been approved in principle and that it will take a lot of time to translate the text of the pact into the languages of the EU’s 28 member nations before it could be ratified.

Normally, it takes 1.5-2 years from the time of negotiations being concluded to ratify the agreement. The ratification of the FTA between the EU and Singapore took two years while three years was needed for the EU-South Korea FTA, he said.

The visit to Hanoi between November 4 and 6 by the EU Parliament delegation was part of the 25th anniversary celebration of EU-Vietnam diplomatic relations.

PCA, which has been ratified by most member states of the EU, and the FTA will serve as main pillars for EU-Vietnam bilateral relations in the years to come.

Once fully implemented, the two agreements will bring great benefits to both sides, said Langen.

Speaking about tension in the East Sea, Langen reaffirmed the stance of the EU that all parties concerned should seek peaceful solutions, respect international law including the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, and ensure freedom of navigation in the East Sea.

SGT