EU proposes to simplify procedures, Vietnamese agricultural products can enter the entire bloc with only one license

The EU Trade Commissioner proposed that if Vietnam grants a license to agricultural products from one EU country, the license will automatically be valid in other member countries of the bloc. The EU is ready to facilitate similar things for Vietnam.

European Union Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič at a press conference on September 26 in Hanoi - Photo: QUANG MINH

On September 26 in Hanoi, European Union (EU) Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič met with the press on the occasion of his working trip to Vietnam, focusing on reviewing the results after 5 years of implementing the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA).

EVFTA is a model in the region

Mr. Maroš Šefčovič assessed that trade between the EU and Vietnam has grown strongly after 5 years of implementing the EVFTA. Bilateral trade turnover reached 64 billion euros in 2024. Vietnam is currently the EU's largest trading partner in ASEAN.

He emphasized that EVFTA is a real success, highly appreciated by many Asian countries and is a model in the region.

According to the Trade Commissioner, Vietnam is currently taking advantage of the EVFTA better than the EU, citing an increase of 60% in Vietnam's exports to the bloc.

In response to the press, Mr. Šefčovič expressed his support for FTAs ​​to create added value for trade partners and support their prosperity. The effective implementation of these agreements will help the relations between the EU and its partners become closer in terms of economy, politics and people.

"This is also what we have seen in our relations with Vietnam since the EVFTA took effect five years ago," he told the press.

The EU believes that now is the time to promote and elevate the relationship to the level of Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

"Both sides are strongly committed to multilateralism, to the rules-based order, to reforming the WTO to suit the current situation. I believe that (upgrading relations) will add an important layer of cooperation, making the relationship between the EU and Vietnam even closer," Mr. Šefčovič shared.

EU proposes to simplify licensing process for agricultural products

In Vietnam, Mr. Šefčovič met with Deputy Prime Minister Bui Thanh Son and co-chaired the trade committee meeting under the EVFTA with Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien.

The meeting aimed to review the implementation of the agreement and find specific steps to make the agreement effective for both sides.

Mr. Šefčovič stressed the importance of full compliance with UN technical, safety and environmental standards for cars and components, as well as the issue of Vietnam granting sanitary and phytosanitary licenses to EU businesses.

"I have also proposed a measure to simplify the licensing process. If a specific agricultural product has been licensed by (Vietnam) in one EU member state, that license will automatically be valid in all other member states, because we have the same regulations, the same control mechanisms and the same standards.

For its part, the European Commission is also ready to create similar favorable conditions for Vietnamese agricultural products in EU member countries," he affirmed.

Besides trade, the two sides discussed strategic investment in key areas such as critical raw materials, renewable energy, semiconductors, logistics, telecommunications, etc. He welcomed Vietnam's plan to join the Multilateral Interim Appeal Arbitration Arrangement (MPIA).

In all meetings, he said he received support from Vietnam to establish a specialized working group, including representatives from different ministries and sectors of the two sides, to review, evaluate and resolve issues of mutual concern, ensuring optimal use of the free trade agreement.

THANH HIEN

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/eu-de-xuat-don-gian-hoa-thu-tuc-nong-san-viet-co-the-vao-toan-khoi-chi-voi-mot-giay-phep-20250926195330422.htm