Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnam is now ready for implementingthe EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) and the Investment ProtectionAgreement (EVIPA), Spokeswoman of the Foreign Ministry Le Thi Thu Hang hassaid.

At the ministry’s regular press conference onJune 11, Hang commented on the Vietnamese National Assembly’s recentratification of the EVFTA and EVIPA, as well as the plan to reopen thecountry’s market for the EU.

She noted that the 14th-tenure parliament ofVietnam passed the resolutions ratifying the two deals on June 8, during itsninth session. The EVFTA is expected to take effect on August 1 this year whilethe EVIPA is set to become effective after it is ratified by EU member states.

The ratification and early implementation ofthese agreements will generate concrete and practical benefits for theeconomies, businesses and peoples of both sides, creating new momentum fortheir comprehensive partnership and cooperation, according to Hang.

Once coming into force, the two deals will helppromote the Asia-Europe economic cooperation, international economicconnectivity, trade liberalisation, along with equal, transparent andrules-based investment, thus contributing to peace, stability and developmentin both sides, as well as Asian and European regions and the whole world, thespokeswoman added.

Replying to reporters’ question regarding the USDepartment of Commerce’s move to investigate plywood imported from Vietnam, Hangsaid economic, trade and investment ties between Vietnam and the US have beendeveloping continually, with bilateral trade reaching about 76 billion USD in2019.

She highlighted Vietnam’s consistent policy of bolsteringbilateral economic, trade and investment relations in a harmonious andsustainable manner that brings about benefits for both countries.

Vietnam has been seriously and fully realisingits commitments to the World Trade Organisation (WTO). Its ministries andsectors have also been actively and proactively carrying out their tasks set upin the plan on enhancing the State’s management in fighting trade remedydodging and origin fraud, approved by the Prime Minister on July 14, 2019.

As for the recent move by the US Department ofCommerce, Hang said this issue needs to be considered in an objective andimpartial manner and in line with WTO regulations, international practice, aswell as the growing economic and trade ties between Vietnam and the US, therebyensuring legitimate interests of both nations’ businesses and consumers.

At the press conference, Spokeswoman Hang alsoprovided information about the 22 Vietnamese citizens stranded in Nepal due tothe COVID-19 pandemic.

She said recently, due to restrictions on exit,entry and transit by Nepal and nearby countries, the citizens haven’t been ableto return to Vietnam. 

Under the Foreign Ministry’s direction, theVietnamese Embassy in India and Nepal has proactively liaised and coordinatedwith the Honorary Consul of Vietnam in Kathmandu capital and the VietnameseAssociation in Nepal to keep contact with the citizens, assist them to seekaccommodation, and ask them to seriously comply with the host country’sregulations.

The embassy is working closely with relevantagencies of Vietnam, Nepal, India and Bangladesh in order to repatriate thecitizens soon, Hang noted./.