Historic trade talks welcomed with Vietnam
ROBERT STURDY WELCOMES HISTORIC TRADE TALKS BETWEENEU AND VIETNAM
3 March 2010
Euro MP Robert Sturdy has welcomed the launching of talks towards a free trade agreement (FTA) between Vietnam and the EU that could allow the Asian country to export more to Europe, the world’s biggest consumer market.
Mr Sturdy, Conservative International Trade spokesman, said these talks were crucial as it was one of several bilateral deals the EU was pursuing with emerging economies with the hope of striking a wider World Trade Organization pact in the near future.
Mr Sturdy said:
“I am delighted that Vietnam and the EU have decided to move towards an FTA. Although the agreement may be many years in the making, I think that the economies of Vietnam and the EU are well suited, and a deal will lead to great opportunities for both sides, but particularly for the Vietnamese, helping to create jobs and foster development.”
“Some have expressed concern that a bilateral deal with hinder progress on the Doha round of talks at the WTO, but this is not the case. During his visit to the European Parliament last week Pascal Lamy, the head of the WTO, stated that there was no evidence to support this theory.
“I am also particularly delighted that a new round of free-trade agreement negotiations will be held with Singapore next week following the announcement of our talks with Vietnam, and that we should share a vision as partners in trade and partners in growth.”
The bilateral Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations were launched following a meeting between EU Trade Commissioner Karel De Gucht and Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung in Hanoi today.
Trade in goods between the two countries was almost €12 billion ($16.27 billion) in 2008 and has increased 12% a year between 2004 and 2008, said the commission, the EU’s executive arm.
Notes to Editors:
1. Robert Sturdy MEP is available for interview on 0032 2284 7294 or through Press Officer Ellee Seymour on 01353 648564 or 07939 811961. Please see Robert’s website at http://robertsturdymep.com
