Topic: "EU - Vietnam Free Trade Agreement"

Policy Recommendation on “Prospect of European Union – Vietnam Free Trade Agreement” is the important issue of consultations with the business community, experts and Vietnamese Business Associations. It aims to raise awareness and to improve the capacity of business community with regards to advocacy activities. This publication is implemented by the Committee on International Trade Policies of WTO Center under VCCI’s program “Enterprises and International Trade Policies”, a sub component of EU – Vietnam MUTRAP III Project with the financial support of the European Union.

The Trade, Development and Co-operation Agreement (TDCA) between the European Community and its Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of South Africa, as other part was signed between European Community and South Africa in Pretoria on 11 October 1999.

The Association Agreement between the European Community and its Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Chile, as other part was signed between European Community and Chile on November 18th, 2002 and entered into force on a provisional basis on February 1st, 2003.An additional protocol to the Agreement was added in May 2004 to take into account the enlargement of the European Union.The full agreement entered into force on 1 March 2005.

The Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the EU and the South Korea is the first completed of the new generation of FTA launched by the EU in 2007. It has been signed by both parties on October 6th 2010 in Brussels. The agreement consists of 15 Chapters, 3 protocols, several annexes and appendixes and four understandings. The EU – Korea Free Trade Agreement include: Preamble 

The Interim Agreement on trade and trade-related matters between the European Community, of the one part, and the Republic of Serbia, of the other part was signed between European Community and Republic of Serbia on April 29th, 2008 and entered into force on February 1st, 2010. The present Interim Agreement aims at implementing, as speedily as possible provisions of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement on trade and trade- related matters, which is now pending, and promote free trade and stable bilateral relation between European and Serbia.

The Economic Partnership, Political Coordination and Cooperation Agreement between the European Community and its Member States, of the one part, and the United Mexican States, of the other part was signed between European Community and Mexico on December 08th, 1997 and entered into force on October 1st, 2000.

The Interim Agreement with a view to an Economic Partnership Agreement between the European Community and its Member States, of the one part, and the Central Africa Party, of the other part was signed between European Community and Cameroon on January 15th, 2009 and its force is now pending.Aims of this Interim Agreement are to establish a basis for the negotiation of an EPA , foster the smooth and gradual integration of Central Africa into the global economy and strengthen existing relations between the Parties on the basis of solidarity and mutual interest.

The Stabilisation and Association Agreement between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Montenegro, of the other part was signed on October 15th, 2007 and entered into force on May 1st, 2010.

Prof Claudio Dordi - Professor of International Law at Bocconi University (Milan), and MUTRAP III Team Leader Mr Federico Lupo Pasini - Lawyer and consultant specialized in international economic law and policy. Based in Hanoi.