20 Amendments of Jörgen WARBORN related to 2018/0356M(NLE)
Amendment 22 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas Vietnam is a strategic partner for the European Union, and whereas the EU and Vietnam share a common agenda to stimulate growth and employment, improve competitiveness, fight poverty and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), as well as a strong commitment to open, rules- based trade and the multilateral trading system;
Amendment 32 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital D
Recital D
D. whereas Vietnam joined the WTO in 2007 and is now one of the mostan open and pro-free trade economies in the worldy, as shown by its 16 trade agreements with 56 countries;
Amendment 61 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. StressesWelcomes the fact that the EU- Vietnam FTA (EVFTA) is the most comprehensive and ambitious agreement ever concluded between the EU and a developing country and should serves as a reference point for the EU’s engagement with developing countries;
Amendment 65 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Notes that negotiations began in June 2012 and were concluded in December 2015 after 14 negotiating rounds, and regrets subsequent delays in bringing forward the agreement for signature and ratification, notably the delay of the Council to request the consent of the European Parliament in due time before the European elections;
Amendment 90 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Is convinced that the agreement, together with the EU-Singapore Free Trade Agreement, will make further strides towards setting high standards and rules in the ASEAN region, helping to pave the way for a future region-to-region trade and investment agreement; stresses that the agreement also sends a strong signal in favour of open and free trade at times of protectionist tendencies and the questioning of multilateral rules-based trade;
Amendment 94 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Underlines that the agreement will eliminate over 99 % of tariffs9 ; notes that Vietnam will liberalise 65 % of import duties on EU exports to Vietnam upon entry into force, with the remainder of the duties being gradually eliminated over a 10-year period; notes also that the EU will liberalise 71 % of its imports upon entry into force and 99 % will be duty free after a 7-year period; points out that the agreement will also contain specific provisions to address non-tariff barriers for EU exports; considers that the EVFTA can help in addressing the trade deficit of the EU with Viet Nam, tapping into the growth potential of the ASEAN country in the upcoming years; _________________ 9 EU exports to Viet Nam: 65 % of duties to disappear as soon as the FTA enters into force, and the remainder to be phased out gradually over a period of up to 10 years (for example, in order to protect the Vietnamese motor sector from European competition, duties on cars will remain for the full 10 years); Vietnamese exports to the EU: 71 % of duties to disappear on entry into force, the remainder to be phased out over a period of up to seven years.
Amendment 96 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Notes that after the entering into force of the Agreement, Vietnam will no longer benefit from preferences under the General Scheme of Preferences (GSP); notes in this regard that Vietnam will no longer be able to use cumulation from other trading partners that are GSP beneficiaries in the region to be able to fulfil the rules of origin; strongly stresses that rules of origin in free trade agreements should not unnecessarily break existing value chains, especially with countries that currently benefit from the GSP, GSP+ or EBA-schemes;
Amendment 109 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Welcomes the fact that the Agreement includes a chapter on customs and trade facilitation; considers that continued cooperation on trade facilitation will be necessary to reap the full benefits of the Agreement; however notes the absence of a dedicated SME chapter; considers that in a potential revision of the Agreement the Commission should explore the possibility to introduce one;
Amendment 111 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 b (new)
Paragraph 7 b (new)
7b. Emphasises the importance of SMEs to contribute to jobs, competitiveness and growth; stresses therefore the importance to facilitate implementation of the Agreement for these companies; especially since SMEs need clear rules in trade that do not bring unnecessary regulatory burdens; stresses therefore the importance of consulting SMEs during the implementation period;
Amendment 115 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Recalls that the EVFTA will help Vietnam go further in improving IPR protection, to the benefit of IPR owners and consumers, as Vietnam will accede to the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) Internet Treaties, which set standards to prevent unauthorised online access to or use of creative work, protect the rights of owners, and address the challenges that new technologies and methods of communication pose to IPR; stresses the strategic importance of standard setting capacity in a region that is witnessing tendencies of decoupling on the normative and standardization fronts; reiterates that a lack of strong regulatory frameworks could trigger a race to the bottom and a negative competition on important legal provisions; highlights that a swift ratification of the EVFTA can guarantee the highest standards of production and best quality for consumers;
Amendment 124 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Underlines that the agreement fully safeguards the EU’s right to apply its own standards to all goods and services sold in the EU and upholds the EU’s precautionary principle;
Amendment 125 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 a (new)
Paragraph 10 a (new)
10a. Regrets that the Agreement does not include a provision on cross-border data transfers; considers that in a future revision of the Agreement, such a provision that respects EU law on data protection and on the protection of privacy should be included and stresses that any future outcome must be subject to the consent of Parliament; notes in this regard that the General Data Protection Regulation is fully compatible with the general exceptions under the GATS;
Amendment 129 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Underlines that the EVFTA includes a robust, comprehensive and bindingenforceable chapter on Trade and Sustainable Development (TSD) dealing with labour and environmental matters, based on widely accepted multilateral conventions and norms, and including a binding dispute settlement mechanism; stresses that the TSD chapter is designed to contribute to broader EU policy objectives, notably on inclusive growth, the fight against climate change and more generally in upholding EU values; emphasises that it is also an instrument for development and social progress in Vietnam to support Vietnam in its efforts to improve labour rights and to enhance protection at work and protection of the environment; stresses the importance of monitoring the implementation of the TSD chapter, including through cooperation with the domestic advisory groups;
Amendment 145 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Welcomes the concrete steps taken by the Vietnamese Government so far, including amending labour legislation and the legal framework on the minimum age at work, aimed at abolishing child labour and making commitments on non- discrimination and gender equality at work; expects this new legislation to be fully enforced by Vietnamese authorities;
Amendment 154 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Stresses, however, that despite this progress, important challenges remain; welcomes in this regard the ratification of fundamental ILO Convention 98 (collective bargaining) on 14 June 2019 and the commitment by the Vietnamese Government to ratify two remaining fundamental Conventions, namely 105 (abolition of forced labour) in 2020 and 87 (freedom of association) in 2023, following the imminent adoption of the new Labour Code; expects the Vietnamese government to continuously inform the EU on the progress on ratification of these outstanding conventions;
Amendment 163 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Welcomes the commitment to effectively implement multilateral environmental agreements such as the Paris Agreement on climate change, and to act in favour of the conservation and sustainable management of wildlife, biodiversity and forestry; recalls that the Agreement provides for specific measures to fight against Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated fishing (IUU) and to promote a sustainable and responsible fishery sector, including aquaculture; recalls that Viet Nam is one of the most active countries in the broader ASEAN region in showcasing their commitment to the agenda of the Paris Agreement; emphasizes that a swift ratification of the EVFTA will contribute to ensuring the highest possible standards for environmental protection in the region;
Amendment 186 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 b (new)
Paragraph 16 b (new)
16b. Recalls previous experience which shows that correct implementation of FTAs and the presence of EU companies on the ground can lead to improvements in the human rights conditions, CSR and environment standards in less developed countries such as Sri Lanka or Cambodia; asks EU companies to continue to play a major role in bridging standards and good practices in order to bring about the most suitable and sustainable business environment in Viet Nam through the EVFTA;
Amendment 187 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Calls for enhanced monitoring of the agreement and efforts to ensure that shortcomings are addressed rapidly with our trading partner; calls for specific technical assistance in order to help Vietnam implement some of the commitments via projects and expertise, notably linked to environmental and labour provisions; reminds the Commission of its reporting obligations on the implementation of the EVFTA to the European parliament and the Council;
Amendment 198 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Stresses that the involvement of civil society in monitoring the implementation of the agreement is crucial, and calls for the swift establishment of domestic advisory groups following the entry into force of the agreement and for the balanced representation of civil society therein; calls on the Commission to intensively cooperate with the domestic advisory groups;
Amendment 213 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 a (new)
Paragraph 19 a (new)
19a. Calls on the Council to swiftly adopt the Agreement;