Spokesperson for Việt Nam’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs Lê Thị Thu Hằng during October 25 press briefing in Hà Nội. – VNA/VNS Photo Lâm Khánh Viet Nam News HÀ NỘI – Việt Nam and the European Union (EU) will continue efforts to complete procedures to officially sign, ratify and enforce the EU-Việt Nam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA), said the Foreign Ministry’s spokesperson Lê Thị Thu Hằng. Hằng made the remarks at a ministry press conference in Hà Nội yesterday. The European Commission (EC) on October 17 agreed to submit the EVFTA to the European Council to seek its approval for the official signing of the deal, she said. This was an important step, demonstrating the resolve of both sides to push ahead with the agreement, contributing to their co-operation, Hằng said, adding that the move also signalled their support for free trade and an open multilateral trade system. The EVFTA is a new-generation trade agreement between Việt Nam and 28 EU member countries. Negotiations for the deal concluded on December 1, 2015. By the end of August 2018, 24 of the 28 EU countries had invested in Việt Nam, with 2,141 valid projects worth some US$24.17 billion. The EU ranks fifth among foreign investors in Việt Nam, after the Republic of Korea, Taiwan (China), Japan and Singapore. Among EU investors, the Netherlands leads with 318 projects valued at US$9.16 billion, followed by France with 527 projects worth $3.63 billion. East Sea Hằng said Việt Nam always kept a close watch… [Read full story]
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