Vietnam and Russia – Belarus – Kazakhstan Customs Union launch FTA negotiation
29/03/2013 42On March 28th, 2013, at headquarter of Government’s Office, Official Announcement Ceremony on launching FTA negotiation between Vietnam and Customs Union of Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan was taking place.
In the witness of Prime Minister of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam Nguyen Tan Dung and Executive Chairman of Asia – Europe Economic Committee, Mr. Viktor B. Khristenko, Minister of Industry and Trade Vu Huy Hoang and Minister for Trade of Asia – Europe Economic Committee signed Joint Statement on FTA negotiation between Vietnam and Customs Union. In Joint Statement, two Ministers agreed on scope and aspects to be covered by the Agreement including trade in goods, trade in service, investment, rules on economic cooperation and other related issues of mutual interest to be considered in flexible principle, for development goals, benefit – demand balancing, and in conformity with common practices and WTO commitments.
In line with Joint Statement’s guideline, from March 27th to 29th, 2013, in Hanoi, Vietnam and Customs Union held the first negotiation round of FTA. At this round, two sides had discussion in details on structure of the Agreement and negotiating mode. Eight (8) working teams in goods, rules of origin, customs, service… had active information exchange on parties’ approaches, local regulations and international commitments. Two sides agreed to hold the second round expectedly in June 2013 in Moscow.
In line with Joint Statement’s guideline, from March 27th to 29th, 2013, in Hanoi, Vietnam and Customs Union held the first negotiation round of FTA. At this round, two sides had discussion in details on structure of the Agreement and negotiating mode. Eight (8) working teams in goods, rules of origin, customs, service… had active information exchange on parties’ approaches, local regulations and international commitments. Two sides agreed to hold the second round expectedly in June 2013 in Moscow.
At the meeting, Minister Vu Huy Hoang stressed on traditional relations between Vietnam and member-countries of Customs Union, expressing belief that FTA would contribute considerably to the development of respective countries, boosting bilateral trade and investment exchange, and promoting Customs Union – ASEAN cooperation.
Source: MOIT