Vietnam, EU sign VPA-FLEGT to combat illegal logging
The signing ceremony of the VPA-FLEGT between Vietnam and the EU on the margins of the 12th Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) Summit in Brussels.
The agreement aims to tighten controls on forest governance, fight illegal logging and promote trade in verified legal timber products from Vietnam to the EU, and other markets.
Signatories included Vietnamese Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Nguyen Xuan Cuong, Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz, and EU High Representative and Vice-President Federica Mogherini.
In her remarks, Federica Mogherini highlighted the signing of the deal as the start of an important partnership through which Vietnam and the EU will work together to address illegal logging and its harmful effects.
The EU welcomes the progress Vietnam has made in preparing to implement the VPA and initial steps in strengthening controls of the timber it imports. However, more needs to be done. Controlling the legality of imports will be critical to full implementation of the VPA and ensuring that Vietnam’s exports of timber and timber products to the EU come from legal sources. The EU will maintain close contact with Vietnam and support their efforts in delivering results on the ground, she said.
Minister Nguyen Xuan Cuong said Vietnam has strong and developing wood processing industry with a significant role in the global market, noting that leaders, the business community and non-governmental organisations of Vietnam voice their support for the VPA and continue to become involved in policy reform processes in the forest sector.
Vietnam ensures that illegal logged timber is not allowed to enter the Vietnamese market, Cuong said, adding that the country has also set up a Timber Legality Assurance System (VNTLAS) which ensures that wood and timber products of Vietnam in the EU have legal origins.
VPA commitments have been included in the Vietnam Forestry Law which will become effective on January 1, 2019. The new law prohibits the import of illegal produced timber to Vietnam. Vietnam has prepared plans for the implementation of VPA with the involvement of many parties, he said.
An EU-Vietnam Joint Implementation Committee will oversee how the provisions of the Agreement are put into practice.
Related News
Enhance the core values of the national brand
15:36 | 02/05/2024 Import-Export
Wood exports started well
13:26 | 20/04/2024 Import-Export
Leverage to increase the scale of Vietnam - Laos trade turnover
10:51 | 15/04/2024 Import-Export
Vietnam-China trade reaches over US$ 27 billion
09:29 | 10/04/2024 Import-Export
Latest News
Exports, FDI remain Vietnam’s bright spots: HSBC
17:16 | 02/05/2024 Headlines
Growth engines rev up in first four months
17:12 | 02/05/2024 Headlines
Vietnam fulfills Chairmanship of Asia Pacific Group at UN for April
19:38 | 01/05/2024 Headlines
Startups gradually mature in international markets
08:22 | 01/05/2024 Headlines
More News
Việt Nam to promote local tourism
13:37 | 30/04/2024 Headlines
April 30 Victory – Glorious milestone in national history
13:34 | 30/04/2024 Headlines
Vietnam secures remarkable economic successes since national reunification
13:31 | 30/04/2024 Headlines
Precious significance of Điện Biên Phủ Victory
16:44 | 29/04/2024 Headlines
Tourism sector surges with over six million visitors in four months
16:40 | 29/04/2024 Headlines
Removing the yellow card, seafood businesses commit to "say no to IUU"
07:51 | 29/04/2024 Headlines
Vietnam ranks third in Southeast Asia in startup investment attraction
14:57 | 28/04/2024 Headlines
All-out efforts needed to get IUU yellow card removed: Minister
14:55 | 28/04/2024 Headlines
Vietnam expected to become e-commerce powerhouse in Southeast Asia
19:49 | 27/04/2024 Headlines
Your care
Exports, FDI remain Vietnam’s bright spots: HSBC
17:16 | 02/05/2024 Headlines
Growth engines rev up in first four months
17:12 | 02/05/2024 Headlines
Vietnam fulfills Chairmanship of Asia Pacific Group at UN for April
19:38 | 01/05/2024 Headlines
Startups gradually mature in international markets
08:22 | 01/05/2024 Headlines
Việt Nam to promote local tourism
13:37 | 30/04/2024 Headlines