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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.

NON-LEGISLATIVE ACT: Council Decision (EU) 2016/2117 on the conclusion, on behalf of the Union, of the Framework Agreement on Comprehensive Partnership and Cooperation between the European Union and its Member States, of the one part, and the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, of the other part.

CONTENT: with this Decision, the Council approved, 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 Vietnam, of the other part (PCA).

The main objectives of the Agreement are as follows :

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

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

The Agreement 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 Agreement 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.

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: lastly, the Agreement 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.

ENTRY INTO FORCE: 29.9.2016. The date of entry into force of the Protocol will be published in the Official Journal of the European Union by the General Secretariat of the Council.