VINACHEM

Vietnam and the European Union (EU) are expected to sign an agreement on comprehensive partnership and cooperation (PCA) later this year.

Both sides completed their eighth round of negotiation for the agreement in Hanoi on July 6.

If the PCA is signed in 2010, it will be even more significant as the year marks the 20 th anniversary of the Vietnam-EU diplomatic ties and the 15 th anniversary of the Framework Agreement on Vietnam-EU Cooperation, said James Moran, the head of the EU team to the negotiation.

Moran, who is Director for Asia , European Commission Directorate General for External Relations, emphasised that the PCA is extremely important and comprehensive and it will lift the EU-Vietnam ties to new heights.

The Vietnamese team to the negotiation was led by Bui Thanh Son, Deputy Foreign Minister.

The Vietnamese and EU officials discussed a number of important articles of the PCA, including general principles, non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, migration as well as remnants of war, legal cooperation, and ICC, small arms and light weapons, market economy status, GSP, taxation, labour and employment.

The two-day meeting took place in the spirit of cooperation, mutual understanding and respect for each other’s interests.

After more than two years of negotiation with good progress, both sides have agreed to a number of articles during this round of negotiation./.