Activities of Iuliu WINKLER related to 2018/0356M(NLE)
Shadow reports (1)
REPORT containing a motion for a non-legislative resolution on the draft Council decision on the conclusion of the Free Trade Agreement between the European Union and the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam
Amendments (21)
Amendment 36 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital G
Recital G
G. whereas Vietnam is also one of the fastest-growing countries in ASEAN, with average GDP growth of around 6.51 % from 2000 until 2018; whereas Viet Nam is estimated to continue growing at similarly strong rates in the upcoming years;
Amendment 37 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital H
Recital H
H. whereas the EU is currently Vietnam’s third-largest trading partner after China and South Korea, and the second-largest export market after the US; whereas EU exports to the country in the last ten years have been growing annually by an average of an estimated 5-7 %;
Amendment 60 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Stresses that the EU-Vietnam FTA (EVFTA) is the most comprehensive and ambitious agreement ever concluded between the EU and a developing country and serves as a reference point for the EU’s engagement with developing countries; and especially with the ASEAN region;
Amendment 66 #
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; considers that any further delays can substantially undermine the EU’s geostrategic ambitions in the ASEAN region;
Amendment 72 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Stresses the economic and strategic importance of this agreement, as the EU and Vietnam share a common agenda and common values – to stimulate growth and employment, boost competitiveness, fight against poverty and make progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs); emphasizes the geopolitical considerations that render EU partners in the Far-East as key players to engage with, in a complex local geo-economic environment;
Amendment 87 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Is convinced that the 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; highlights the EU’s constructive engagement in the ASEAN region, remarking its strategic importance as a convinced supporter of the multilateral rules-based trading system;
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 105 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Welcomes the fact that around 169 EU geographical indications will benefit from recognition and protection on the Vietnamese market at a comparable level to that of EU legislation, in view of the fact that Vietnam is an important export market in Asia for EU food and drink exports; underlines the potential for growth and significant benefits that are hereby made available to European Small and Medium-sized Enterprises, considering this sector of the economy of vital interest for European prosperity and innovation;
Amendment 107 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Stresses that some EU agri- sectors, rice among others, could be negatively affected by the provisions of the FTA; in that respect calls on the Commission to constantly monitor the flow of imports of those sensitive products and make a full utilization of the provisions of the safeguard clause regulation whenever the legal and economic requirements are met, in order to avoid any possible negative impact on the EU agri-sectors as a direct consequence of the enter into force of the FTA;
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 130 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Underlines that the EVFTA includes a robust, comprehensive and binding chapter on Trade and Sustainable Development (TSD) dealing with labour and environmental matters; 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 a swift establishment of broad and as independent as possible domestic advisory groups, which will play a crucial contribution in monitoring efforts meant to guarantee an effective implementation of the EVFTA;
Amendment 152 #
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; recalls the significance of such commitments that portray truly positive trends in developing country, while stressing the vital role of effective implementation of the provisions on human rights and environmental protection;
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 169 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 – point a (new)
Paragraph 14 – point a (new)
(a) Acknowledges Vietnam’s engagement to address Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing by having become an official member of the Port State Measures Agreement (PSMA); notes that Vietnam has made clear commitments and has become a member on January 15, 2019 and that the PSMA is the first binding international agreement to specifically target illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.
Amendment 170 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 – point b (new)
Paragraph 14 – point b (new)
(b) Notes that Vietnam has also adopted the revised Fisheries Law 2017; this law has come into effect on January 1, 2019 and considers the international and regional obligations, agreements and recommendations made by the European Commission.
Amendment 171 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 – point c (new)
Paragraph 14 – point c (new)
(c) Acknowledges that Vietnam has furthermore made various sub-law documents, implemented a national action programme on combatting IUU fishing, and intensified the dissemination on legal regulations to fishermen.
Amendment 183 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Underlines the crucial importance of implementing all provisions and chapters of the agreement, ranging from market access to sustainable development and enforcement of all commitments; highlights in this context the new post of Chief Trade Enforcement Officer, who will work directly under the guidance of the Trade Commissioner; reiterates the commitment of the International Trade Committee of the EP to assume an active role in the monitoring of the implementation of the EVFTA commitments;
Amendment 185 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 a (new)
Paragraph 16 a (new)
16a. Stresses that the entering into force of the agreement will create the conditions for a major and fruitful cooperation between the two parties in view of the effective implementations of the provisions on sustainable development which could bring about the improvement of the political and human rights situation in the country; underlines that a proper implementation of the EVFTA can advance Viet Nam in complying with European standards on environment, human rights, good governance, and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR); welcomes in this context the commitment of Viet Nam to present its national implementation plan for complying with the provisions of the EVFTA;
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 193 #
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; suggest the establishment of an inter-parliamentary group between the National Assembly of Viet Nam and the EP for the speedy establishment of broad and as independent as possible DAGs; recalls the role of empowered DAGs in the pursuit of efforts to monitor and scrutinize the correct implementation of the FTA;
Amendment 205 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Acknowledges the institutional and legal link between the FTA and the PCA, which ensures that human rights are placed at the core of the EU-Vietn Nam relationship; points out that Article 1 of the PCA contains a standard human rights clause which can trigger appropriate measures, including, as a last resort, the suspension of the PCA, and implicitly of the EVFTA, or parts thereof, without delay;