Legislative Observatory
European Parliament
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EU/Vietnam Framework Agreement on Comprehensive Partnership and Cooperation

2013/0440(NLE)

PURPOSE: to conclude the Framework Agreement on Comprehensive Partnership and Cooperation between the European Union and its Member States, of the one part, and Viet Nam, of the other part.

PROPOSED ACT: Council Decision.

ROLE OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT: Council may adopt the act only if Parliament has given its consent to the act. 

BACKGROUND: in accordance with Council Decision 2012/279/EU, the Framework Agreement on Comprehensive Partnership and Cooperation between the European Union and its Member States, of the one part, and Vietnam, of the other part, was signed on 27 June 2012, subject to its conclusion.

It is now necessary to approve the PCA on behalf of the European Union.

The PCA with Vietnam will supersede the current legal framework of the 1995 Agreement between the European Community and Vietnam and the 1980 Cooperation Agreement between the European Economic Community and member countries of the Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN), which was extended in 1999 to include Vietnam.

CONTENT: under this proposal, the Council is called upon to approve, on behalf of the European Union, the Framework Agreement on Comprehensive Partnership and Cooperation between the European Union and its Member States, of the one part, and Viet Nam, of the other part.

General principles and political dialogue: the PCA with Vietnam constitutes an important step towards enhanced political and economic involvement of the EU in South-East Asia.

Foreign policy: the draft PCA covers the EU’s standard political clauses on:

  • human rights,
  • International Criminal Court,
  • weapons of mass destruction,
  • small arms and light weapons and counter-terrorism.

It also addresses legal cooperation, money laundering and terrorist financing, organised crime and corruption, and covers areas of particular interest to Vietnam such as cooperation on human rights and the rule of law, remnants of war and natural disaster prevention.

Economic and trade cooperation: the draft PCA provides the basis for more effective engagement by the EU and its Member States with Vietnam in the development, trade and economic fields and will facilitate the conclusion of a Free Trade Agreement with Vietnam.

The conclusion of the PCA is in line with the EU's objective of creating a comprehensive and coherent economic and political framework for relations between the EU and ASEAN countries.

Sectoral cooperation: the PCA strengthens the sectoral cooperation across a wide range of policy fields, such as:

  • taxation,
  • migration,
  • health,
  • environment,
  • climate change,
  • energy,
  • education and culture,
  • labour,
  • employment and social affairs,
  • science and technology,
  • transport.

Institutional framework: the draft Agreement also includes institutional provisions to put in place a joint committee composed of representatives of the two Parties with the aim of ensuring the correct application of the Agreement and resolving conflicts.