The PCA is a framework agreement that looks to adjust the relationship between Vietnam and the EU and replaces the 1995 Vietnam-EC Framework Cooperation Agreement. The deal allows Vietnam to access the EU market more easily on the basis of the equal, long-term, and stable partnership and comprehensive cooperation.Signed on June 27, 2012, the pact will come into effect after it is ratified by all EU members. PCA allows Vietnam to facilitate access to EU markets than on the basis of development cooperation relationship of equal, long-term, stable and comprehensive partnership.
French Parliament also plans to soon consider ratification of the PCA in early 2016. If both houses of the French Parliament ratified the cooperation between Vietnam and the European Union (EU) in general, between Vietnam and France in particular will be boosted in the coming years.
Speaking at a discussion in Paris, Annick Girardin, Minister of State for Development and Francophony, elaborated on the French Government’s views which lauded developments in the comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and France over the past time, especially in economics, trade and investment.
She commented on the increasing bilateral trade and the stronger flow of French investments in the Southeast Asian nation.
Helene Conway-Mouret from the Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Armed Forces of the Senate, presented a draft law which is comprised of eight chapters and 65 articles stipulating economic, trade and investment ties, development cooperation as well as the collaboration in justice, education, training, health care and the environment between the two nations.
The majority of the senators at the event echoed the French Government’s views on the fruitful Vietnam-France relations. They agreed that the agreement should be soon ratified in order to create a legal framework for the affiliation between Vietnam and the EU, including the Vietnam-France relations.
Michel Billout, s enator from Seine - et - Marne , held that the PCA will pave the way for a mutually beneficial and more intensive and sustainable cooperation framework between Vietnam and the EU. He explained that the EU is Vietnam’s leading economic and trade partner and the country’s important importer.
The PCA, along with the strategic partnership signed by Vietnam and France in September 2013, is expected to contribute to driving the bilateral relations towards a new period in a more effective and intensive fashion, meeting each side’s demand for development, he said.
Noting with joy the Senate’s ratification of the agreement, Helene Luc, a former French senator and Honorary President of the France-Vietnam Friendship Association, said the approval has translated the resolve to promote the two countries’ relations into a legal document that advance the bilateral ties to match the strategic partnership.
For her part, Ms. Hélène Luc, honorary Chairman of France-Vietnam Friendship Association expressed joy when the agreement was passed. According to her, this has turned the ratification of the determination to promote relations between Vietnam and France, commensurating with the strategic partnership level.
