2018/0356M(NLE) | [ParlTrack]

Draft opinion
Paragraph -1 (new)

-1. Recalls that the EU and its Member States are among the top donors in Vietnam and the largest grant donor;

Amendment 10 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4

4. Recalls its concern at the increasingly restrictive approach of the Vietnamese authorities with regard to ~~the~~ freedom of expression and other freedoms; recalls the ~~close~~ linksage between the FTA and ~~the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA)~~PCA and urges the Commission to use all available tools in the aAgreements, including suspension when needed, to protect and promote fundamental freedoms; more broadly, calls on Vietnam to sign and ratify all relevant human right treaties of the United Nations and the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court;

Amendment 11 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)

4 a. Recalls the importance to adapt trade policies to support national efforts to combat climate change in order to comply with the Paris Agreement; stresses in this context to the need to make EU- Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) consistent with EU-FLEGT agreement with Vietnam, notably by including in its trade and sustainable development (TSD) chapters binding and enforceable provisions to halt illegal logging, deforestation, forest degradation and land grabbing; stresses the importance of effective monitoring of these provisions and sanctions mechanisms that allow individuals and communities, outside or within the EU, to seek redress; in particular, underlines that this mechanism must give special consideration to the rights of indigenous peoples, forest-dependent communities, and the rights granted under ILO Convention C169 on Indigenous and Tribal Peoples where applicable;

Amendment 12 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 b (new)

4 b. Recalls equally that the success of the entire FLEGT initiative depends i.e. on tackling fraud and corruption which can be found at all stages of the timber trade, from the harvesting of timber, its transportation, processing, manufacturing, exporting, importing and selling; to this effect, stresses the need to address more effectively corruption linked to illegal logging through specific illegal logging-related anti-corruption provisions that are enforceable and effectively implemented; recalls the importance of adequate access to justice, legal remedies and effective protection for whistleblowers in natural resources exporting countries in order to ensure the efficiency of any legislation or initiative; calls on the EU and its Member States to strengthen forest diplomacy in its external climate policy on this line;

Amendment 2 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph -1 a (new)

-1 a. Stresses that open trade is a driver of prosperity by deepening economic ties; takes the view that the FTA and IPA will benefit Vietnam, as trade and investment fuel continued economic growth, bringing the country closer to its target of becoming an advanced industrialised economy;

Amendment 3 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph -1 b (new)

-1 b. Reminds that the EU’s trade policy promotes its values and respect for human rights; stresses that opening up of the economic space should go hand in hand with improvements of the political life and the human rights situation in Vietnam;

Amendment 4 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1

1. ~~Urg~~Deplores the ~~EU and Vietnam to use the provisions of the Free Trade Agreement (~~refusal of the European Commission to carry out a prior human rights impact assessment of the EU-Vietnam Free Trade agreement, in spite of serious concerns regarding the protection of human rights in Vietnam, especially in relation to freedom of expression, association and the right to organise and collective bargaining for trade unions; urges the EU and Vietnam to use the provisions in the FTA) to, inter alia~~, help to~~ contribute to the strengthening of human rights in Vietnam; reiterates the importance of athe well- developed bilateral EU- and Vietnam Human Rights Dialogue; recalls the EUnion’s commitment, under its Strategic Framework and Action Plan on Human Rights and Democracy, to systematically include human rights in its impact assessments, as and when they are carried out, including for trade agreements that have a significant economic, social and environmental impacts;

Amendment 5 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1

1. ~~Urg~~Welcomes the ~~EU and Vietnam to use the provisions of the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) to, inter alia, help to~~institutional framework and procedures under the EU- Vietnam PCA and FTA which will provide the EU with an enhanced basis for actively promoting respect for human rights and sustainable development in its relations with Vietnam; urges the EU and Vietnam to make full use of the provisions in the FTA in order to contribute to the strengthening of human rights in Vietnam; reiterates the importance of athe well- developed bilateral EU- and Vietnam Human Rights Dialogue; recalls the EUnion’s commitment, under its Strategic Framework and Action Plan on Human Rights and Democracy, to include human rights in its impact assessments, as and when they are carried out, including for trade agreements that have a significant economic, social and environmental impacts;

Amendment 6 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2

2. ~~Underlines the importance of~~Deplores the fact that the chapter on sustainable development is explicitly excluded from the mechanism for sanctions and resolution of disputes between States, which guarantees binding rights for transnational firms via the ICS arbitration mechanism, whereas the social and environmental standards are not binding due to the absence of a mechanism for sanction if these standards are not complied with; underlines the importance of mandatory and enforceable provisions in the chapter on trade and sustainable development into contribut~~ing~~e effectively to the strengthening of labour rights and environmental standards, including corporate responsibility and fair and ethical trade; notes, in this regard, that ~~the~~ ratification and implementation of core I~~nternational Labour Organisation (ILO) conventions~~LO conventions, notably Convention 98 on the Right to Organise and Collective Bargaining, Convention 105 on the Abolition of Forced Labour and Convention 87 on the Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise, is key to ensuring ~~that~~ the FTA does not contribute to a race to the bottom; urges the Vietnamese Ggovernment to commit to a speedy reform of its labour code including ~~the~~ ratification and implementation of ~~the~~ outstanding core ILO cConventions ~~and establis~~with a clear timetable for ~~its~~ progress, prior to ~~the~~ European Parliament’s ratification of the FTA;

Amendment 7 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2

2. ~~Underlines the importance of the~~Welcomes the inclusion of a robust, comprehensive and binding chapter on tTrade and sSustainable dDevelopment, dealing in an integrated manner with labour and environmental matters in the context of the Union’s trade relations with Vietnam; underlines the importance of this chapter in contributing to the strengthening of labour rights and environmental standards, including corporate responsibility and fair and ethical trade; notes, in this regard, that ~~the~~ ratification and implementation of core I~~nternational Labour Organisation (ILO) conventions is key to ensuring that the FTA does not c~~LO conventions is key to ensuring the FTA does not contribute to a race to the bottom; notes the steps taken by Vietnam regarding the drawing up of a revised version of its Labour Code, as well as the expected ratification of ILO Convention no. 98 on the right to organise and collective bargaining in 2019; takes the view that advancing swiftly on these issues will demonstr~~ibute to a~~ ate Vietnam’s commitment to workers rights and provide reassurance ~~to the bottom~~s that the country will comply with the labour obligations contained in the EU-Vietnam FTA; urges therefore the Vietnamese Ggovernment to ~~commit to a speedy~~speed up the reform of its labour code including ~~the~~ ratification and implementation of ~~the~~ outstanding core ILO cConventions ~~and establis~~, with a clear timetable for ~~its~~ progress~~, prior to the European Parliament’s ratification of the FTA~~; calls on the Commission to monitor closely and keep the Parliament regularly informed about developments in this area;

Amendment 8 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3

3. ~~Emphasises the importance of the full involvement of civil society organisations (CSOs) for the purposes of~~Welcomes the introduction of provisions ensuring transparency and inclusiveness in the decision-making process; emphasises the importance of full involvement of CSOs in implementing and monitoring the provisions of the FTA; urges both parties to ~~initiate the requisite~~begin the necessary procedures to establish the Domestic Advisory Group ~~(DAG)~~ as soon as possible; notes that the DAG must be genuinely representative of civil society ~~and~~, includeing participants ~~that~~ representing organisations advocating the advancement of human rights, labour rights and environmental protection; welcomes the Commission’s readiness to step up support for civil society during the implementation of the FTA with Vietnam, as well as its intention to enhance technical and logistical support to DAGs and other mechanisms of civil society participation as this will be crucial for ensuring transparency and their meaningful involvement;

Amendment 9 #

Patrizia TOIA, Pierfrancesco MAJORINO, Evin INCIR, Marc TARABELLA

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4

4. Recalls its concern atwith the general human rights situation in Vietnam, as well as with the increasingly restrictive approach of the Vietnamese authorities with regard to ~~the~~ freedom of expression and other freedoms; recalls the ~~close~~ linksage between the FTA and ~~the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA) and~~PCA and stresses that making improvements of human rights should be a central element of the EU’s engagement with Vietnam; urges the Commission to use all available tools in the aAgreements, including suspension when needed, to protect and promote fundamental freedoms;

source: 632.812

2019/10/07 DEVE 36 amendments...

Amendment 1 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph -1 a (new)

-1a. Notes that Article 21 of the Treaty on European Union stipulates that the actions of the Union on the international scene shall be guided by the principles of democracy, the rule of law, the universality and indivisibility of human rights and fundamental freedoms, respect for human dignity, the principles of equality and solidarity, and respect for the principles of the United Nations Charter and international law;

Amendment 10 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)

1a. Stresses the need to respect the principle of policies aligned with development cooperation objectives in accordance with Article 208 TFEU;

Amendment 11 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2

2. Urges the Commission to ~~earmark specific funding for~~spare no effort in order to fulfil the key objectives of the TSD chapter, including through civil society organisations, such as the dDomestic aAdvisory gGroups (DAGs), ~~in order to fulfil the key objectives of the TSD chapter,~~ which include an increased monitoring of commitments together with the relevant Vietnamese authorities, the development of action plans for areas where concerns have been identified, including, but not limited to, deforestation and illegal fishing, and the triggering of dispute settlement processes in the event that action plans have not been respected;

Amendment 12 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2

2. Urges the Commission to earmark specific funding for civil society organisations, such as the domestic advisory groups (DAGs), in order to fulfil the key objectives of the TSD chapter, which include an increased monitoring of commitments, the development of action plans for areas where concerns have been identified, and the triggering of dispute settlement processes in the event that action plans have not been respected; regrets that the mandate of the DAGs is limited to monitoring the TSD Chapter only; regrets that the promotion of gender equality and women empowerment is not prominently mentioned in the FTA;

Amendment 13 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)

2a. Stresses that, in the event of ratification of the agreement, it is essential to ensure full implementation and enforcement by Viet Nam of international law on intellectual property and trademark law and of the safeguards associated with protected geographical indications; is concerned at the insufficient protection afforded to certain protected geographical indications, which is in certain cases limited by transitional periods, for example ten years in the case of champagne;

Amendment 14 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)

2a. Deplores the fact that no human rights impact assessment was ever carried out prior to the launching of negotiations in spite of serious concerns regarding the protection of human rights in Vietnam, notably following the decision of the European Ombudsman of 26 February 2016, which concluded that the refusal of the European Commission to carry out a prior human rights impact assessment of the EU/Vietnam Free Trade Agreement is unjustified and constitutes a case of maladministration;

Amendment 15 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3

3. ~~Congratulates~~Notes that Viet Nam onhas ratif~~ying~~ied only six of the ILO’s eight fundamental conventions, namely No 29 on forced labour, Nos 100 and 111 on non- discrimination, Nos 138 and 182 on child labour and, most recently, No 98 on the right to organise and collective bargaining; ~~urge~~asks the Vietnamese Government ~~to quick~~, if the proposed agreement enters into force, to promptly ratify outstanding convention No 105 on forced labour and No 87 on the freedom of association, and highlights the crucial importance of ~~ensur~~verifying that all of these conventions are ~~ful~~rigorously implemented if the agreement enters into force;

Amendment 16 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3

3. Congratulates, as a first step, Viet Nam on ratifying six of the ILO’s eight fundamental conventions, namely No 29 on forced labour, Nos 100 and 111 on non-discrimination, Nos 138 and 182 on child labour and, most recently, No 98 on the right to organise and collective bargaining; urges the Vietnamese Government to quickly ratify outstanding convention No 105 on forced labour and No 87 on the freedom of association, and highlights the crucial importance of ensuring that all of these conventions are fully implemented; into its legal system, prior to European Parliament ratification of the FTA; urges equally the Vietnamese Government to secure tangible improvements on human rights, i.e. by releasing all imprisoned human rights defenders and by repealing penal code provisions that criminalise free speech and association prior to ratification; more broadly, urges for the creation of an effective remedy and compensation mechanism for cases of human rights violations in the EVFTA;

Amendment 17 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3

3. Congratulates Viet Nam on ratifying six of the ILO’s eight fundamental conventions, namely No 29 on forced labour, Nos 100 and 111 on non- discrimination, Nos 138 and 182 on child labour and, most recently, No 98 on the right to organise and collective bargaining; urges the Vietnamese Government to quickly ratify outstanding convention No 105 on forced labour and No 87 on the freedom of association, and highlights the crucial importance of ensuring that all of these conventions are ~~ful~~rigorously implemented and enforced;

Amendment 18 #

Patrizia TOIA, Pierfrancesco MAJORINO, Evin INCIR, Marc TARABELLA

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3

Amendment 19 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3

3. ~~Congratulates~~Welcomes the commitment of Viet Nam ton ratifying six of the ILO’s eight fundamental conventions, namely No 29 on forced labour, Nos 100 and 111 on non- discrimination, Nos 138 and 182 on child labour and, most recently, No 98 on the right to organise and collective bargaining; urges the Vietnamese Government to quickly ratify outstanding convention No 105 on forced labour and No 87 on the freedom of association, and highlights the crucial importance of ensuring that all of these conventions are fully ~~implemented~~and promptly implemented in accordance with a clear timetable;

Amendment 2 #

Patrizia TOIA, Pierfrancesco MAJORINO, Evin INCIR, Marc TARABELLA

Draft opinion
Paragraph -1 b (new)

-1b. Recalls the European Parliament’s previous resolutions on the situation in Viet Nam, in particular the Resolutions of 14 December 2017 on freedom of expression in Viet Nam, of 9 June 2016 on Viet Nam, of 15 November 2018 on Viet Nam, in particular the situation of political prisoners;

Amendment 20 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)

3a. Is concerned that, according to the International Labour Organisation, ‘many children are at risk of labour and sexual exploitation’ in Viet Nam, and that ‘recent reports indicate a rise in internal migration and the number of unregistered families and children found in urban centres’, making children and families particularly vulnerable to the abovementioned types of exploitation;

Amendment 21 #

Janina OCHOJSKA

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)

3a. Highlights that according to Article 4.1(b) of Regulation 978/2012 (GSP Regulation), after FTA’s conclusion and entry into force the Socialist Republic of Vietnam will lose the status of an eligible country to benefit from tariff preferences provided under the general GSP arrangement, expresses hope that FTA will contribute to greater growth, development, and employment in the Socialist Republic of Vietnam than under the GSP arrangement;

Amendment 22 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4

4. ~~Welcom~~Notes Viet Nam’s commitment to revise and quickly ratify its Labour Code, highlighting the importance of the promotion and practical enforcement of gender equality and female empowerment; reiterates that gender inequality should no longer be seen as a purely social issue, but as an economic one that presents a key challenge to attaining inclusive and sustainable growth; notes with concern that, according to the International Labour Organisation, girls are particularly at risk of labour or sexual exploitation in Viet Nam; calls on the Commission to monitor developments closely and to keep Parliament regularly updated on the situation.;

Amendment 23 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4

4. Welcomes Viet Nam’s commitment to revise and quickly ratify its Labour Code, which shall allow effectively the formation of independent trade unions; highlight~~ing~~ the importance of the promotion and practical enforcement of gender equality and female empowerment; reiterates that gender inequality should no longer be seen as a purely social issue, but as an economic one that presents a key challenge to attaining inclusive and sustainable growth; calls on the Commission to monitor developments closely and to keep Parliament regularly updated on the situation.

Amendment 24 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4

4. Welcomes Viet Nam’s commitment to revise and quickly ratify its Labour Code, in order to promote decent work for all, highlighting the importance of ~~the promotion and~~ practical enforcement of gender equality ~~and~~, female empowerment and child protection; reiterates that gender inequality should no longer be seen as a purely social issue, but as an economic one that presents a key challenge to attaining inclusive and sustainable growth; calls on the Commission to monitor developments closely and to keep Parliament regularly updated on the situation.

Amendment 25 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4

4. Welcomes Viet Nam’s commitment to revise and quickly ratify its Labour Code, highlighting the importance of the promotion and practical enforcement of gender equality and female empowerment; reiterates that gender inequality should no longer be seen as a purely social issue, but as an economic one that presents a key challenge to attaining inclusive and sustainable growth; encourages the Vietnamese authorities to cut working time in the private sector from 48 hours per week to 40 hours per week; calls on the Commission to monitor developments closely and to keep Parliament regularly updated on the situation.

Amendment 26 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)

4a. Points out that arbitrary expropriation are common phenomena in Vietnam where the land belongs to the State; expresses its concern that the new export opportunities offered by the EU - Vietnam agreement for the European agri-food industry may exacerbate land conflict, while undermining family farming;

Amendment 27 #

Patrizia TOIA, Pierfrancesco MAJORINO, Evin INCIR, Marc TARABELLA

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)

4a. Underlines the need for corrective measures in response to any infringements of human rights or commitments entered into under the Paris Agreement; points out that the chapter on sustainable development needs to be closely and rigorously monitored and enforcement thereof treated as a priority;

Amendment 28 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)

4a. Recalls that ILO conventions no 87 and 98 are crucial with a view to the constitution of Domestic Advisory Groups under the EU-Viet Nam Free Trade Agreement; Emphasises the importance of full involvement of CSOs and NGOs in implementing and monitoring the provisions of the FTA; notes that the DAG must be genuinely representative of civil society, including participants representing organisations advocating the advancement of human rights, labour rights and environmental protection;

Amendment 29 #

Patrizia TOIA, Pierfrancesco MAJORINO, Evin INCIR

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 b (new)

4b. Recalls the importance to adapt trade policies to support national efforts to combat climate change in order to comply with the Paris Agreement; stresses in this context the need to make EU- Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) consistent with EU-FLEGT agreement with Vietnam, notably by including in its trade and sustainable development (TSD) chapters binding and enforceable provisions to halt illegal logging, deforestation, forest degradation and land grabbing; stresses the importance of effective monitoring of these provisions and sanctions mechanisms that allow individuals and communities, outside or within the EU, to seek redress; in particular, underlines that this mechanism must give special consideration to the rights of indigenous peoples, forest-dependent communities, and the rights granted under ILO Convention C169 on Indigenous and Tribal Peoples where applicable;

Amendment 3 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph -1 c (new)

-1c. Urges the EU and Vietnam to make full use of the provisions in the FTA in order to contribute to the strengthening of human rights in Vietnam; reiterates the importance of the well-developed bilateral EU and Vietnam Human Rights Dialogue, notably under the institutional framework and procedures under the FTA and Investment Protection Agreement (IPA); recalls the Union’s commitment, under its Strategic Framework and Action Plan on Human Rights and Democracy, to systematically include human rights in its impact assessments as and when they are carried out, including for trade agreements that have a significant economic, social and environmental impacts;

Amendment 30 #

Patrizia TOIA, Pierfrancesco MAJORINO, Marc TARABELLA

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 b (new)

4b. Notes that Viet Nam is one of the countries most vulnerable to the effects of climate change, in particular extreme weather events such as storms and floods; urges the Government of Viet Nam to introduce effective adaptation measures and to ensure the effective implementation of legislation relating to environmental and biodiversity protection.

Amendment 31 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 b (new)

4b. Points out that full implementation of the above ILO conventions would also require a revision of social legislation, the Penal Code and the Code of Criminal Procedure currently in force in Viet Nam;

Amendment 32 #

Patrizia TOIA, Pierfrancesco MAJORINO, Marc TARABELLA

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 c (new)

4c. Expresses its concern about the impact of the new stringent provisions on Intellectual Property Rights on Vietnamese access to medicine; calls for the removal of such restrictions to protect the right of access to generic medicines and to healthcare.

Amendment 33 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 c (new)

4c. Welcomes the legal link between the EVFTA/IPA and the EU-Viet Nam Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA); in the framework of the PCA asks the Commission to actively promote projects in the field of tackling child and forced labour for women in order to improve the working conditions of these groups; urges the Commission to use all available tools in the Agreements, including suspension when needed, to protect and promote fundamental freedoms;

Amendment 34 #

Patrizia TOIA, Pierfrancesco MAJORINO, Marc TARABELLA

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 d (new)

4d. Recalls that the E.C. issued a “yellow card” to Vietnam in October 2017, in view of his failure to tackle effectively illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing; urges the Vietnamese government to comply effectively with EU recommendations prior to the ratification of EVFTA.

Amendment 35 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 d (new)

4d. Underlines that addressing the abovementioned concerns is a key prerequisite to consider recommending that Parliament gives its consent to the proposal for Conclusion of the Free Trade Agreement between the European Union and the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam (INTA/8/14829); asks the Commission to fully engage into close monitoring of all developments in the areas of concern and to propose a suspension, if deemed necessary, at any stage;

Amendment 36 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 (new)

5. Notes the persistence in Vietnam of cases of human and social rights violations, and that more efforts are needed in this regard by the Vietnamese authorities. Call the Vietnamese government for a moratorium on the death penalty, with a view to its full abolition.

Amendment 4 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1

1. Welcomes the inclusion of a comprehensive and binding chapter on Trade and Sustainable Development (TSD) with explicit references to Multilateral Environmental Agreements, the Paris Agreement and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development; is nevertheless concerned about allegations of possible infringements by Viet Nam of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), the lack of convincing results in combating illegal fishing, Viet Nam having been ‘pre-identified’ in 2017 as a non-cooperating country in the area of illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, and the absence of any progress noted by the European Commission in this area in 2018; accordingly warns against the risks of deforestation and illegal fishing;

Amendment 5 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1

1. Welcomes the inclusion of a comprehensive and binding chapter on Trade and Sustainable Development (TSD) with explicit references to Multilateral Environmental Agreements, the Paris Agreement and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development; deplores, however, that the chapter on sustainable development is explicitly excluded from the state to state dispute settlement mechanism which provides for a suspension of trade preferences; underlines the importance of mandatory and enforceable provisions in the chapter on trade and sustainable development to contribute effectively to the strengthening of labour rights and environmental standards, including corporate responsibility;

Amendment 6 #

Patrizia TOIA, Pierfrancesco MAJORINO, Evin INCIR, Marc TARABELLA

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1

1. ~~Welcomes~~Takes note of the inclusion of a comprehensive and binding chapter on Trade and Sustainable Development (TSD) with explicit references to Multilateral Environmental Agreements, the Paris Agreement and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development; regret the absence of effective monitoring and enforcement mechanisms;

Amendment 7 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1

1. ~~Welcomes~~Underlines the importance of the inclusion of a comprehensive and binding chapter on Trade and Sustainable Development (TSD) with explicit references to Multilateral Environmental Agreements, the Paris Agreement and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development;

Amendment 8 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)

1a. Points out that, under Article 13 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, the Union ‘shall, since animals are sentient beings, pay full regard to the welfare requirements of animals’ in the implementation of its policies; stresses that certain livestock and fishery products, in particular chicken meat, on which duties should be reduced to 0% after a transitional period of ten years, are covered by the free trade agreement and should be subject to phytosanitary and animal welfare standards at least equivalent to those of the European Union; considers that, in the event of ratification of the agreement, the European Union should, in particular, implement the animal welfare provisions thereof whenever necessary and that animal welfare requirements must also extend to aquaculture products; calls on the Commission to monitor closely the question of animal welfare in the context of the agreement and to keep Parliament regularly updated;

Amendment 9 #

Janina OCHOJSKA

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)

1a. Recalls that EU-Vietnam relationship is grounded in the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA), which covers non-economic areas, including political dialogue, human rights, education, science and technology, justice asylum and migration;

source: 641.386

2019/11/13 INTA 214 amendments...

Amendment 1 #

Karin KARLSBRO, Marie-Pierre VEDRENNE, Barbara Ann GIBSON, Samira RAFAELA, Jordi CAÑAS, Urmas PAET, Elsi KATAINEN, Dita CHARANZOVÁ, Svenja HAHN, Jérémy DECERLE

Motion for a resolution
Citation 5 a (new)

– having regard to the Framework Participation Agreement, signed on 17 October 2019, which will facilitate Vietnam's participation in European Union-led civilian and military crisis management operations and show strong commitment from both sides to a rules- based multilateral approach to international peace and security

Amendment 10 #

Jytte GUTELAND, Inma RODRÍGUEZ-PIÑERO, Jude KIRTON-DARLING, Evin INCIR, Nikos ANDROULAKIS, Monika BEŇOVÁ

Motion for a resolution
Citation 17 d (new)

– having regard to the Council Conclusions on Business and Human Rights of 20 June 2016,

Amendment 100 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

6. Stresses the improved access under this agreement to Vietnamese public procurement in line with the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA), as Vietnam is not yet a member of the GPA; underlines that the government procurement chapter of the EVFTA achieves a degree of transparency and procedural fairness comparable to other FTAs that the EU has signed with developed and more advanced developing countries; underlines that the agreement must not restrict the political room for manoeuvre in procurements when it comes to setting requirements on what is to be procured and demands on e.g. environment, labour and employment conditions;

Amendment 101 #

Danilo Oscar LANCINI, Markus BUCHHEIT, Marco CAMPOMENOSI

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

6. Stresses the improved access under this agreement to Vietnamese public procurement in line with the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA), as Vietnam is not yet a member of the GPA; underlines that the government procurement chapter of the EVFTA achieves a degree of transparency and procedural fairness comparable to other FTAs that the EU has signed with developed and more advanced developing countries; underlines that the agreement must not restrict the ability of the parties to implement their domestic procurement rules, in particular with respect to labour and employment conditions;

Amendment 102 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

6. ~~Stresses the~~Hopes for genuinely improved access under this agreement to Vietnamese public procurement in line with the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA), as Vietnam is not yet a member of the GPA; underlines that the government procurement chapter of the EVFTA achieves a degree of transparency and procedural fairness comparable to other FTAs that the EU has signed with developed and more advanced developing countries;

Amendment 103 #

Iuliu WINKLER, Enikő GYŐRI, Seán KELLY, Annie SCHREIJER-PIERIK, Christophe HANSEN, Massimiliano SALINI

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

6. ~~Stress~~Notes the improved access under this agreement to Vietnamese public procurement in line with the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA), as Vietnam is not yet a member of the GPA; underlines that the government procurement chapter of the EVFTA achieves a degree of transparency and procedural fairness comparable to other FTAs that the EU has signed with developed and more advanced developing countries;

Amendment 104 #

Enikő GYŐRI

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)

6a. Welcomes that the provisions on the rules of origin included in the EVFTA follows the EU approach, and their main features are identical to those laid down in the EU's GSP as well as in the EU's trade agreement with Singapore; calls on the Commission to monitor the proper and faithful implementation of these rules, with special attention to national content and to step up against any kind of manipulation and abuse, like repackaging the products proceeding from third countries.

Amendment 105 #

Motion for a resolution
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 106 #

Danilo Oscar LANCINI, Markus BUCHHEIT, Marco CAMPOMENOSI

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7

7. ~~Welcomes the fact that~~Stresses that only 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; points out that this list will need to be substantially increased in the immediate future;

Amendment 107 #

Massimiliano SALINI, Iuliu WINKLER

Motion for a resolution
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 108 #

Jörgen WARBORN, Christophe HANSEN

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)

7a. Expresses its deep concern about the provisions in the Agreement on the rules of origins, which can lead to the legalization of smuggling of certain goods to Europe, for instance steel or aluminium, through Vietnam from neighbouring China; calls for a special EP-DG Trade working group to study carefully all these provisions and to amend them in a more strict redaction if necessary;

Amendment 109 #

Motion for a resolution
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 11 #

Jörgen WARBORN, Christophe HANSEN

Motion for a resolution
Citation 17 e (new)

– having regard to the Council Conclusions on the Action Plan on Human Rights and Democracy 2015-2019 of 20 July 2015,

Amendment 110 #

Karin KARLSBRO, Marie-Pierre VEDRENNE, Barbara Ann GIBSON, Samira RAFAELA, Jordi CAÑAS, Urmas PAET, Elsi KATAINEN, Dita CHARANZOVÁ, Svenja HAHN, Jérémy DECERLE

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)

7a. Welcomes the strong SPS chapter which will set up a single and transparent procedure for the approval of EU exports of food products into Vietnam in order to accelerate the approval of EU export applications and avoid discriminatory treatment; commends Vietnam's commitment to applying the same import requirements to like products coming from all EU member states;

Amendment 111 #

Motion for a resolution
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 112 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8

8. Recalls that, in terms of services, Vietnam goes beyond its WTO commitments, provides for substantially better access in a number of business subsectors and offers new market access to sectors such as packaging services, trade fair and exhibition services or rental/leasing; underlines that Vietnam has opened up cross-border higher education services for the first time; welcomes the use of a positive list in the services schedule, being the most appropriate way to guarantee the full exclusion of public services in trade agreements;

Amendment 113 #

Danilo Oscar LANCINI, Markus BUCHHEIT, Marco CAMPOMENOSI

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8

8. Recalls that, in terms of services, Vietnam goes beyond its WTO commitments, provides for substantially better access in a number of business subsectors and offers new market access to sectors such as packaging services, trade fair and exhibition services or rental/leasing; underlines that Vietnam has opened up cross-border higher education services for the first time; takes note that the Vietnamese financial sector will also be liberalized, giving EU banks new opportunities to speculate and inflate the global financial bubble;

Amendment 114 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)

8a. Notes with concern a number of major shortcomings in respect of human rights and fundamental freedoms, such as freedom of expression, freedom of the press and freedom of association; is deeply concerned by the numerous systematic infringements of fundamental rights;

Amendment 115 #

Iuliu WINKLER, Enikő GYŐRI, Seán KELLY, Annie SCHREIJER-PIERIK, Jörgen WARBORN, Massimiliano SALINI

Motion for a resolution
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 116 #

Danilo Oscar LANCINI, Markus BUCHHEIT, Marco CAMPOMENOSI

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; is concerned however that the IPR provisions contained in the agreement in relation to pharmaceutical products, such as regulatory data protection and the extension of patent protection up to two years in certain cases may hamper the development and availability of generic drugs, which currently represent half of the Vietnamese pharmaceutical market;

Amendment 117 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9

9. ~~Recall~~Notes that the system of intellectual property protection is still too muddled, containing a number of gaps and several inconsistencies with European rules; hopes that the EVFTA will help Vietnam go further in ~~improv~~securing 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;

Amendment 118 #

Jude KIRTON-DARLING, Jytte GUTELAND

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)

9a. Welcomes the provisions for cooperation on animal welfare, including technical assistance and capacity building for the development of high animal welfare standards, and encourages the Parties to make full use of these; urges the Parties to develop an action plan for the cooperation on animal welfare as soon as possible, including a programme of training, capacity building and assistance in the framework of the Agreement to safeguard animal welfare at the time of killing and better protect animals on farm and during transport in Vietnam;

Amendment 119 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)

9a. Notes that the agreement does not contain a specific SMEs chapter, different provisions on SMEs are however included in various parts of the agreement, stresses that implementation phase will be crucial for introducing concrete measures to boost utilisation rate of SMEs on both sides;

Amendment 12 #

Jytte GUTELAND, Inma RODRÍGUEZ-PIÑERO, Jude KIRTON-DARLING, Evin INCIR, Nikos ANDROULAKIS, Monika BEŇOVÁ

Motion for a resolution
Citation 17 f (new)

– having regard to the European Parliament resolution of 12 December 2018 on the annual report on human rights and democracy in the world 2017 and the European Union’s policy on the matter that “recalls the EU’s commitment to placing human rights and democracy at the centre of its relations with third countries

Amendment 120 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)

9a. Calls on the EU and Vietnam to set up a clear action plan to help SMEs make use of the opportunities offered by the agreement, starting by increasing transparency and disseminating all the relevant information;

Amendment 121 #

Jytte GUTELAND, Inma RODRÍGUEZ-PIÑERO, Jude KIRTON-DARLING, Evin INCIR, Nikos ANDROULAKIS, Monika BEŇOVÁ

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10

10. Underlines that the agreement 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;~~ ; notes that this agreement fails to adequately safeguard the precautionary principle as set out in the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union since it is grounded on WTO’s weak rules, on which basis the EU lost at least two disputes; urges the Commission to negotiate in all future bilateral agreements adequate protection for the precautionary principle as enshrined in EU Treaties;

Amendment 122 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10

10. Underlines that the agreement 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; underlines that the EU’s high standards, including in national laws, regulations and collective agreements, should never be seen as trade barriers;

Amendment 123 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10

10. Underlines that the agreement s~~afeguard~~tates the EU’s right to apply its own standards to all goods and services sold in the EU and ~~upholds~~refers to the EU’s precautionary principle; underlines that the EU’s high standards, including in national laws, regulations and collective agreements, should never be seen as trade barriers;

Amendment 124 #

Motion for a resolution
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 #

Karin KARLSBRO, Marie-Pierre VEDRENNE, Barbara Ann GIBSON, Samira RAFAELA

Motion for a resolution
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 126 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 a (new)

10a. Regrets that there is no dedicated chapter on SMEs in the agreement; recalls that it is crucial that SMEs benefit from the advantages and measures put in place with the agreement; calls on the Commission to ensure that adequate support and information be provided to SMEs in order for them to have the opportunity to benefit fully from this agreement;

Amendment 127 #

Motion for a resolution
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 but regrets that it is not submitted to the general dispute settlement mechanism of the FTA; also regrets that the Paris Agreement on climate change and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the UN are not explicitly mentioned as binding obligations for both partners; 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 ishould also be 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; notes that while the Parties reaffirm their commitments linked with ILO, there is no reference to their effective implementation as was mentioned in the similar UE-Singapore FTA, EU-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement or in the modernised EU-Mexico Global Agreement;

Amendment 128 #

Motion for a resolution
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; regrets that this chapter does not significantly improve the current EU approach to TSD, failing to take into account repeated European Parliament demands for greater enforceability and monitoring of commitments, for instance through the use of sanctions and a reform of the Domestic Advisory Group (DAG) system; stresses that the TSD chapter is designed to contribute to broader EU policy objectives, notably on inclusive growth, the fight against climate change, the promotion of human rights, including workers’ rights 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; calls for the establishment of an inter- parliamentary supervisory body to ensure the enforcement of the FTA’s TSD Chapter;

Amendment 129 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11

11. Underlines that the EVFTA includes a robust, comprehensive and ~~binding~~enforceable 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 13 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 17 h (new)

– having regard to the European Parliament resolution on the annual report on human rights and democracy in the world and the European Union’s policy on the matter 2015,

Amendment 130 #

Motion for a resolution
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 131 #

Karin KARLSBRO, Marie-Pierre VEDRENNE, Barbara Ann GIBSON, Samira RAFAELA, Jordi CAÑAS, Urmas PAET, Elsi KATAINEN, Dita CHARANZOVÁ, Svenja HAHN, Jérémy DECERLE

Motion for a resolution
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; calls on the EU to offer its support where necessary to help Vietnam advance in this regard; stresses the importance to ensure a specific and adequate monitoring of the TSD chapter in order to see it respected and implemented;

Amendment 132 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11

11. Underlines that the EVFTA, contrary to official communications issued by the EU Commission, does not includes a ny “robust, comprehensive and binding chapter” on Trade and Sustainable Development (TSD) dealing with labour and environmental matters; stresses that the TSD chapter is mostly designed for both parties to stick to vague commitments, deprived of any legal force, 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 a~~n instrument~~ wishful thinking 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;

Amendment 133 #

Motion for a resolution
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~~necessary to ask Vietnam to step up its efforts to improve labour rights and to enhance protection at work and protection of the environment, given that these are also instruments for development and social progress in that country;

Amendment 134 #

Karin KARLSBRO, Marie-Pierre VEDRENNE, Barbara Ann GIBSON, Samira RAFAELA, Jordi CAÑAS, Urmas PAET, Elsi KATAINEN, Dita CHARANZOVÁ, Svenja HAHN, Jérémy DECERLE

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)

11a. Points out that a new Vietnamese Cyber Security Law, that entered into force at the beginning of 2019, has attracted a lot of criticism, as an intensified crackdown on human rights activists in the country has been documented, linked to the provisions of this new law which gives the authorities licence to censor content, control information and silence online dissidents; notes with regret that the legislation also raises concerns for EU economic interests, including forced data localisation provisions which are at odds with the EU's liberalisation agenda in this respect; calls on Vietnam to revise this law in line with international standards and welcomes the European Union's assistance in this respect;

Amendment 135 #

Jytte GUTELAND, Inma RODRÍGUEZ-PIÑERO, Jude KIRTON-DARLING, Evin INCIR, Nikos ANDROULAKIS, Monika BEŇOVÁ

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)

11a. Points out that, in the event of non-compliance with the binding clauses of the chapter on Trade and Sustainable Development, the agreement only provides for appropriate measures to be taken and not suspension of the agreement itself; calls, therefore, on the Commission to provide more clarification and to ensure suspension of the agreement in the event of serious infringements of human rights and environmental clauses;

Amendment 136 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)

11a. Welcomes the commitments made by Vietnam in the TSD chapter of the Agreement but calls for additional efforts in order to demonstrate effective progress and the full implementation of commitments therein, inter alia, by giving evidence of tangible action aiming at eradicating persecution of community leaders, including human rights defenders, environmental activists and workers' rights activists;

Amendment 137 #

Bernd LANGE, Biljana BORZAN, Inma RODRÍGUEZ-PIÑERO, Miroslav ČÍŽ, Monika BEŇOVÁ, Jude KIRTON-DARLING, Nicola DANTI

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)

11a. Regrets that the efforts to improve the enforceability of the TSD chapter, as repeatedly called for by the European Parliament and also mentioned in the mission letter for the new EU Trade Commissioner, are not yet reflected in this agreement. Calls on the Joint Committee to immediately begin work on strengthening the enforcement of TSD provisions.

Amendment 138 #

Jytte GUTELAND, Inma RODRÍGUEZ-PIÑERO, Evin INCIR, Nikos ANDROULAKIS, Monika BEŇOVÁ, Jude KIRTON-DARLING, Helmut SCHOLZ

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)

11a. Deplores that a sanction-based mechanism to effectively enforce sustainable development related provisions has not been included in the TSD chapter;

Amendment 139 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 b (new)

11b. Recalls that Article 8 in the Treaty of the Functioning of the European Union states that “in all its activities, the Union shall aim to eliminate inequalities, and to promote equality, between men and women”; welcomes that both Vietnam and the EU have signed the WTO Buenos Aires Declaration on Women and Trade and calls on the Parties to put in value and practice the responsibilities undertaken therein, by strengthening and improving the commitments on gender and trade in this agreement; recalls the Commission´s engagement to include Gender Chapters in future EU trade agreements; is aware that this commitment was taken after the Free Trade Agreement with Vietnam was concluded, notwithstanding, calls on the EU and Vietnam to commit themselves to evaluate its implementation on the basis of gender disaggregated data and to include a specific Chapter on Gender and Trade in its future review;

Amendment 14 #

Bernd LANGE, Biljana BORZAN, Inma RODRÍGUEZ-PIÑERO, Miroslav ČÍŽ, Monika BEŇOVÁ, Jude KIRTON-DARLING, Nicola DANTI

Motion for a resolution
Citation 17 i (new)

– having regard to the statement of 17 May 2019 on behalf of the EU Ambassador to Vietnam on the recent convictions of Ms Vu Thi Dung and Ms Nguyen Thi Ngoc Suong,

Amendment 140 #

Karin KARLSBRO, Marie-Pierre VEDRENNE, Barbara Ann GIBSON, Samira RAFAELA, Jordi CAÑAS, Urmas PAET, Elsi KATAINEN, Svenja HAHN, Jérémy DECERLE

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 b (new)

11b. Notes with concern that the Vietnamese penal code still allows for serious human rights violations, which have intensified since the entry into force of the PCA; calls on a Vietnam to revise the penal code in line with international standards and welcomes the European Union's assistance in this respects; regrets that the Commission has failed to undertake a comprehensive human rights impact assessment of the FTA; calls on the Commission to carry out such an assessment;

Amendment 141 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 b (new)

11b. Calls for the establishment of a Joint Committee of the Vietnamese National Assembly and the European Parliament to improve coordination and review of the measures of the TSD chapter and the implementation of the agreement as a whole, welcomes the favourable position of the Chairperson of the National Assembly of Vietnam towards this call for action and calls for a Memorandum of Understanding between both parliaments to be negotiated rapidly.

Amendment 142 #

Jytte GUTELAND, Inma RODRÍGUEZ-PIÑERO, Jude KIRTON-DARLING, Evin INCIR, Nikos ANDROULAKIS, Monika BEŇOVÁ

11c. Calls the EU and Vietnam to cooperate to develop an action plan, accompanied by available EU programmes, to fight child labour, including the necessary due diligence framework for enterprises;

Amendment 143 #

Bernd LANGE, Biljana BORZAN, Inma RODRÍGUEZ-PIÑERO, Miroslav ČÍŽ, Monika BEŇOVÁ, Jude KIRTON-DARLING, Nicola DANTI

Motion for a resolution
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, but insists that all these improvements must entry into force before any step forward to the ratification of the Agreement by Parliament;

Amendment 144 #

Motion for a resolution
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; encourages the Vietnamese National Assembly to finalise these steps as announced at the end of November 2019

Amendment 145 #

Motion for a resolution
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 146 #

Motion for a resolution
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;

Amendment 147 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)

12a. Requests that the Vietnamese Government will present an ambitious yet credible roadmap work plan to eradicate child labour by 2025 and eliminate forced labour, modern slavery and human trafficking by 2030 and is looking forward to its assessment by the International Labour Organization in due time before the ratification of the agreement;

Amendment 148 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)

12a. Acknowledges the significant decrease of the child labour in Vietnam in recent years and welcomes the commitment to child labour eradication by the Vietnamese government; reminds that Vietnam was the first country in Asia and second in the world to ratify the United Nations’ International Convention on the Rights of the Child;

Amendment 149 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)

12a. Stresses that a number of major challenges remain, especially in the area of human rights and freedom of expression;

Amendment 15 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 17 j (new)

– having regard to the European Court of Justice 2/15 Opinion on EU- Singapore FTA stating that trade and sustainable development chapters have a direct and immediate effect on trade and that a breach on sustainable development provisions authorises the other Party to terminate or suspend the liberalisation provided for on other provisions of the FTA,

Amendment 150 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13

13. Stresses, however, that despite this progress, important challenges remain and urges the Vietnamese authorities to signal their willingness to continue to engage on a progressive workers rights agenda through concrete measures, such as the adoption of the reformed labour code and implementing measures that would incorporate the principles of ILO Convention 105 (abolition of forced labour) and 87 (freedom of association); stresses that specific criteria included in implementing legislation, such as thresholds and registration formalities, should not result in effectively precluding independent organisations from competing with state-run organisations; 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; calls on the Vietnamese authorities to provide a credible roadmap for the ratification of the missing ILO core Conventions ahead of the vote on consent by the European Parliament;

Amendment 151 #

Iuliu WINKLER, Massimiliano SALINI

Motion for a resolution
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~~; underlines the condition that the principles of Conventions 87 and 105 must be enshrined in the amended Labour Code, so as to provide for the necessary legal basis for Vietnam to ratify those conventions; but regrets that the FTA itself does not mention official provide for formal deadlines for the ratification of ILO Convention 87 and 105; stresses the importance of swiftly adopting implementing measures with regard to ILO Convention 98; stresses the necessary condition that the Criminal Code does not nullify the positive steps taken under the Labour Code;

Amendment 152 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13

Amendment 153 #

Jordi CAÑAS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13

Amendment 154 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13

Amendment 155 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13

Amendment 156 #

Danilo Oscar LANCINI, Markus BUCHHEIT, Marco CAMPOMENOSI

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13

Amendment 157 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)

13a. Notes that the country’s rapid economic development, with the expansion of the industry and services sectors, is causing increased environmental damage, which is having a serious impact on agricultural and marine biodiversity, while unregulated intensive agriculture is causing deforestation and soil deterioration, threatening biodiversity and water quality and undermining sustainable development goals; notes that Vietnam should apply a strict protection and conservation plan for the environment and marine ecosystem;

Amendment 158 #

Karin KARLSBRO, Marie-Pierre VEDRENNE, Barbara Ann GIBSON, Samira RAFAELA, Jordi CAÑAS, Urmas PAET, Elsi KATAINEN, Dita CHARANZOVÁ, Svenja HAHN

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)

13a. Welcomes the envisaged cooperation on the trade/related aspects of the ILO Decent Work Agenda, in particular the inter-linkage between trade and full and productive employment for all, including youth, women and people with disabilities; calls for a swift and meaningful start of this cooperation;

Amendment 159 #

Jytte GUTELAND, Inma RODRÍGUEZ-PIÑERO, Jude KIRTON-DARLING, Evin INCIR, Nikos ANDROULAKIS, Monika BEŇOVÁ

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)

13a. Encourages the Parties to make full use of the provisions for cooperation on improving animal welfare and on capacity building for the development of high animal welfare standards; calls on the Parties to develop an action plan for the cooperation on animal welfare as soon as possible;

Amendment 16 #

Bernd LANGE, Biljana BORZAN, Inma RODRÍGUEZ-PIÑERO, Miroslav ČÍŽ, Monika BEŇOVÁ, Jude KIRTON-DARLING, Nicola DANTI

Motion for a resolution
Citation 17 k (new)

– having regard to the economic impact of the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement[1], [1] https://trade.ec.europa.eu/doclib/docs/201 9/february/tradoc_157686.pdf

Amendment 160 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)

13a. Stresses the central role of implementing decrees in the implementation of the revised labour code and ratified ILO conventions, stresses the European Parliament's willingness to engage in an active dialogue on this issue and calls on the EU to support necessary capacity building measures.

Amendment 161 #

Danilo Oscar LANCINI, Markus BUCHHEIT

Motion for a resolution
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 aquaculturequests the Commission to conduct regular impact assessments with regard to environmental and climate impacts after three years of implementation of the FTA in order to ensure full compatibility between trade liberalisation and EU’s climate targets; calls for the immediate activation of the amendment procedure in case of incompatibilities with sustainable development and the SDGs; stresses that Vietnam is currently in violation of the specific measures provided by the Agreement under the TSD chapter to fight against Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated fishing (IUU) and that the Commission has issued a yellow card in 2017 in the framework of the EU IUU Regulation; requests that preferential tariffs on fishery products be applied only once the conditions for lifting the yellow cards are met; deplores that while an Article of the TSD chapter recalls the importance of responsible and sustainable aquaculture, there is no such an article on responsible and sustainable agriculture, a sector that should benefit strongly from the FTA;

Amendment 162 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14

14. ~~Welcom~~Stresses 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~~, in this context, that Vietnam is the fourth largest polluter of the world’s oceans with plastic waste; points out that, given the effort and commitment required by the European Union of its producers, it makes no sense to conclude trade agreements with partners that do not respect EU environmental values and are not genuinely committed to protecting the environment, since those importing from these countries are simply contributing to environmental damage and encouraging competition with EU companies that are rightly subject to stringent environmental constraints;

Amendment 163 #

Iuliu WINKLER, Jörgen WARBORN

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14

Amendment 164 #

Bernd LANGE, Biljana BORZAN, Inma RODRÍGUEZ-PIÑERO, Miroslav ČÍŽ, Monika BEŇOVÁ, Jude KIRTON-DARLING, Nicola DANTI

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14

Amendment 165 #

14. ~~Welcomes~~Takes note of 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 but doesn’t read the effectiveness of this implementation in the provisions in the Agreement; 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, which must be implemented by a decrease of Vietnamese fishing fleet prior to the ratification of the Agreement ;

Amendment 166 #

Jytte GUTELAND, Inma RODRÍGUEZ-PIÑERO, Jude KIRTON-DARLING, Evin INCIR, Nikos ANDROULAKIS, Monika BEŇOVÁ

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14

Amendment 167 #

Karin KARLSBRO, Marie-Pierre VEDRENNE, Barbara Ann GIBSON, Samira RAFAELA, Jordi CAÑAS, Urmas PAET, Elsi KATAINEN, Dita CHARANZOVÁ, Svenja HAHN, Jérémy DECERLE

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14

Amendment 168 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14

Amendment 169 #

Annie SCHREIJER-PIERIK, Iuliu WINKLER

Motion for a resolution
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 17 #

Annie SCHREIJER-PIERIK, Iuliu WINKLER

Motion for a resolution
Citation 17 l (new)

– having regard to the Council conclusions of 17 June 2016 on strengthening the balance in the pharmaceutical systems in the EU and its Member States,

Amendment 170 #

Motion for a resolution
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 #

Annie SCHREIJER-PIERIK, Iuliu WINKLER

Motion for a resolution
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 172 #

Danilo Oscar LANCINI, Markus BUCHHEIT, Marco CAMPOMENOSI

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 – point d (new)

(d) Calls for continuous monitoring of Vietnam's efforts to ensure the country keeps making progress in combatting IUU fishing and in fulfilling its export potential.

Amendment 173 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 a (new)

14a. Notes that the fisheries sector is a highly sensitive area regarding relations between the European Union and Vietnam; recalls that Vietnam received an initial warning from the European Commission in October 2017 and is currently under observation and that, if no corrective measures are taken, fishery products from Vietnam could be banned; observes, in this regard, that Vietnam should firmly commit to combating illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing activities; takes the view the Union should monitor the situation and require scrupulous checks by Vietnam to ensure that no illegal fishery products arrive on the Union market;

Amendment 174 #

Danilo Oscar LANCINI, Markus BUCHHEIT, Marco CAMPOMENOSI

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 b (new)

14b. Recalls the major problems faced by the Vietnamese authorities, in particular its oversized fishing fleet, the over-exploitation of marine resources and the inefficiency of controls; expresses the greatest concern, therefore, with regard to imports and calls for the rigorous monitoring of control systems;

Amendment 175 #

Danilo Oscar LANCINI, Markus BUCHHEIT, Marco CAMPOMENOSI

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 c (new)

14c. Expresses its serious concern, regarding agricultural imports, at the zero-duty rice quota of 80 000 tonnes; fails to understand the reason for such a large amount, given that the average annual quantity of rice imported from Vietnam to date is around 25 000 tonnes; points out that, at a time when Cambodian rice safeguard clauses are being activated, it is risky to establish such a large rice import quota that might damage the European rice industry, forcing it to reduce production, with serious repercussions in terms of quantity and quality;

Amendment 176 #

Danilo Oscar LANCINI, Markus BUCHHEIT, Marco CAMPOMENOSI

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 d (new)

14d. Recalls that increasing dependence on rice imports from Asia is a major factor in increasing the volatility of rice prices; points out that world global population growth vastly exceeds the capacity to increase world rice production; notes that the combination of import dependency and reduced domestic production could create future supply problems for the EU; points out that water from the Mekong river, one of the most polluted in the world, is being used for rice cultivation; it is therefore necessary to control both the quality of the final product and the production chain in order to verify compliance with European standards and requirements and ensure that no banned substances are used during processing in Europe that might have an adverse environmental impact, even if no trace of them remain in the final product;

Amendment 177 #

Danilo Oscar LANCINI, Markus BUCHHEIT, Marco CAMPOMENOSI

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 e (new)

14e. Calls for technical management measures designed to progressively dilute and keep track of the effects of the 80 000-tonne quota;

Amendment 178 #

Danilo Oscar LANCINI, Markus BUCHHEIT, Marco CAMPOMENOSI

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 f (new)

14f. Recommends that the quota be accorded in two half-yearly tranches; if, for one or more of the three sub-quotas - 30 000 tonnes of aromatic rice, 30 000 tonnes of milled rice and 20 000 tonnes of husked rice - a half-yearly tranche is exhausted before the opening of the next tranche, the duty exemption should not apply to quantities imported after the date of exhaustion up to the commencement of the next half-year; calls for a ban on ‘transfers’ from any unused sub-quotas; if, for three consecutive years, a sub- quota, or over 50 %, thereof, remains unused, it should be suspended;

Amendment 179 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15

15. Acknowledges Vietnam’s engagement to address illegal logging and deforestation through the conclusion of a Voluntary Partnership Agreement on Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade (VPA/FLEGT) with the EU; notes that this agreement has been in force since 1 June 2019 and introduces mandatory due diligence obligations for its importers; welcomes the open and constructive participation of all relevant stakeholders in Vietnam in this process; encourages Vietnam to adopt TLAS measures that fully meet the ambition of the VPA commitments and recalls that this is a necessary condition to reach FLEGT licencing status; regrets that the FTA provides for the full liberalisation of all trade in FLEGT VPA timber products at entry into force and is concerned that this situation could result in additional pressure on the import control system under the EU Timber Regulation;

Amendment 18 #

Danilo Oscar LANCINI, Markus BUCHHEIT, Marco CAMPOMENOSI

Motion for a resolution
Citation 17 m (new)

– having regard to the European Parliament resolution of 2 March 2017 on EU options for improving access to medicines,

Amendment 180 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15

15. ~~Acknowledges~~Expresses great concern at revelations regarding the illegal timber trade in Vietnam and the numerous instances of illegal timber trafficking from Laos and Cambodia; acknowledges, in this regard, Vietnam’s engagement to address illegal logging and deforestation through the conclusion of a Voluntary Partnership Agreement on Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade (VPA/FLEGT) with the EU; notes that this agreement has been in force since 1 June 2019 and introduces mandatory due diligence obligations for its importers; welcomes the open and constructive participation of all relevant stakeholders in Vietnam in this process; hopes that measures will be taken to ensure full compliance with agreement, accompanied by the envisaged monitoring procedures;

Amendment 181 #

Iuliu WINKLER, Christophe HANSEN, Massimiliano SALINI

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15

15. Acknowledges Vietnam’s engagement to address illegal logging and deforestation through the conclusion of a Voluntary Partnership Agreement on Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade (VPA/FLEGT) with the EU; notes that this agreement has been in force since 1 June 2019 and introduces mandatory due diligence obligations for its importers; welcomes the open and constructive participation of all relevant stakeholders in Vietnam in this process but keeps being concerned by NGO’s observations about the continuation of illegal trade of precious wood, transiting to Vietnam from Laos and Cambodia and aggravating deforestation;

Amendment 182 #

Karin KARLSBRO, Marie-Pierre VEDRENNE, Barbara Ann GIBSON, Samira RAFAELA, Jordi CAÑAS, Urmas PAET, Elsi KATAINEN, Dita CHARANZOVÁ, Svenja HAHN

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16

16. Underlines the crucial importance of effectively implementing all provisions and chapters of the agreement, ranging from market access to sustainable development and enforcement of all commitments; considers that all of the TSD provisions should be read as providing for legal obligations in international law; highlights in this context the new post of Chief Trade Enforcement Officer, who will work directly under the guidance of the Trade Commissioner; underlines that European companies, especially SMEs, should be encouraged to make full use of the benefits of the agreement and that any hurdle regarding the implementation should be remediated immediately;

Amendment 183 #

Motion for a resolution
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 184 #

Iuliu WINKLER, Massimiliano SALINI

Motion for a resolution
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~~demands that EU Commission and Council make a political declaration, assorted of strict rules of procedures, about the suspension of the Agreement especially in case of new human rights violations by the Vietnamese Government;

Amendment 185 #

Motion for a resolution
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 #

Iuliu WINKLER, Jörgen WARBORN, Massimiliano SALINI

Motion for a resolution
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 #

Danilo Oscar LANCINI, Markus BUCHHEIT, Marco CAMPOMENOSI

Motion for a resolution
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 188 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17

17. Calls for ~~enhanced monitoring of the agreement and efforts~~detailed and rigorous monitoring of implementation of the agreement and for no effort to be spared 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;

Amendment 189 #

Karin KARLSBRO, Marie-Pierre VEDRENNE, Barbara Ann GIBSON, Samira RAFAELA, Jordi CAÑAS, Urmas PAET, Elsi KATAINEN, Dita CHARANZOVÁ, Svenja HAHN

Motion for a resolution
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~~ their commitments via projects and expertise, notably linked to environmental and labour provisions;

Amendment 19 #

Karin KARLSBRO, Marie-Pierre VEDRENNE, Barbara Ann GIBSON, Samira RAFAELA, Jordi CAÑAS, Urmas PAET, Elsi KATAINEN, Dita CHARANZOVÁ, Svenja HAHN

Motion for a resolution
Citation 20 a (new)

– having regard to the 2019 Universal Periodic Review on Vietnam undertaken by the UN Human Rights Council

Amendment 190 #

Bernd LANGE, Biljana BORZAN, Inma RODRÍGUEZ-PIÑERO, Miroslav ČÍŽ, Monika BEŇOVÁ, Jude KIRTON-DARLING, Nicola DANTI

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 a (new)

17a. Regrets the absence of a chapter dedicated to SMEs, which represent some 40 % of Vietnamese GDP and form the backbone of the European economy; reminds the Commission of its commitment to include an ad-hoc chapter on SMEs in all trade agreements;

Amendment 191 #

Karin KARLSBRO, Marie-Pierre VEDRENNE, Barbara Ann GIBSON, Samira RAFAELA, Jordi CAÑAS, Urmas PAET, Elsi KATAINEN, Svenja HAHN, Jérémy DECERLE

Motion for a resolution
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; notes with concern that the Vietnamese independent civil society has been harshly repressed and largely operates underground for fear of persecution and retaliation; encourages the EU institutions to support the independent civil society in Vietnam; calls on appropriate measures to be put in place to ensure that advisory groups can exercise their mandate independently, impartially, thoroughly and safely;

Amendment 192 #

Motion for a resolution
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;~~therein, including independent organisations from the labour and environmental sectors; supports the efforts of civil society organisations in Vietnam to develop proposals in this regard and will support capacity building efforts; calls on the government of Vietnam to swiftly begin preparations for the establishment of DAGs.

Amendment 193 #

Motion for a resolution
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 194 #

Jytte GUTELAND, Inma RODRÍGUEZ-PIÑERO, Jude KIRTON-DARLING, Evin INCIR, Nikos ANDROULAKIS, Monika BEŇOVÁ

Motion for a resolution
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, including the participation of independent civil society organisations; warns that the absence of freedom of speech and a draconian implementation of the Penal and Criminal Codes seriously risk rendering the domestic advisory group meaningless;

Amendment 195 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18

18. Stresses that the involvement of independent civil society and social partners 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 therei~~independent, free and diverse civil society organisations therein, including representatives for organisations for human rights, labour rights and environmental protection;

Amendment 196 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18

Amendment 197 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18

18. Stresses that the involvement of civil society in monitoring the implementation of the agreement is crucial, but is forced to admit that Vietnamese civil society does not enjoy any autonomy, free will or independence from Vietnamese’s State, and calls for the swift establishment of really free and autonomous domestic advisory groups ~~following~~prior to the entry into force of the agreement and for the balanced representation of civil society therein;

Amendment 198 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18

Amendment 199 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18

Amendment 2 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 12

– having regard to its resolution of 14 December 2017 on freedom of expression in Vietnam, notably the case ~~of Nguyen Van Hoa5 ,~~ condemning the sentencing of Nguyen Van Hoa5 to seven years in prison because of his "legitimate use of freedom of expression", expressing Europe’s "concern about the rise in the number of detentions" - which have risen even more rapidly since 2017 -, "calling on the Vietnamese authorities to release all citizens detained for peacefully exercising their freedom of expression", "expressing serious concerns about the extensive application of the national security provisions in Vietnam’s Penal Code" and "urging the Government of Vietnam to amend it deeply", denouncing "Vietnam’s use of death penalty", recalling "the importance of Human Rights Dialogue between EU and Vietnam as a key instrument to be used to encourage Vietnam in the implementation of the necessary reforms" ; _________________ 5 OJ C 369, 11.10.2018, p. 73.

Amendment 20 #

Bernd LANGE, Biljana BORZAN, Inma RODRÍGUEZ-PIÑERO, Miroslav ČÍŽ, Monika BEŇOVÁ, Jude KIRTON-DARLING, Nicola DANTI

Motion for a resolution
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 trade and the multilateral trading system; whereas Vietnam still faces important challenges in relation to sustainable development, human rights and the environment, notably with respect to the situation of minorities, fundamental freedoms, the unsustainable exploitation of natural resources such as sand, fisheries and timber, waste management and pollution;

Amendment 200 #

Karin KARLSBRO, Marie-Pierre VEDRENNE, Barbara Ann GIBSON, Samira RAFAELA, Jordi CAÑAS, Urmas PAET, Elsi KATAINEN, Dita CHARANZOVÁ, Jérémy DECERLE, Svenja HAHN

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)

18a. Calls on both Parties to undertake to develop programmes of cooperation activities to improve capacity and conditions for women to benefit from opportunities created by the agreement, including encouraging capacity building and skills enhancement of women at work and in business, fostering women's representation in decision making and positions of authority; improving women's access to, and participation and leadership in, science, technology and innovation; conducting gender-based analysis and gender-focused statistics relating to trade;

Amendment 201 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)

18a. Renews its concerns regarding the implementation of the new Cyber security Act, specifically on localisation and disclosure requirements as well as the protection of personal data. Welcomes the willingness to engage in an intensive dialogue, including the commitment of the Chairperson of the National Assembly of Vietnam to include both parliaments in the discussion and deliberation of the implementing decrees.

Amendment 202 #

Karin KARLSBRO, Marie-Pierre VEDRENNE, Barbara Ann GIBSON, Samira RAFAELA, Jordi CAÑAS, Urmas PAET, Elsi KATAINEN, Dita CHARANZOVÁ, Svenja HAHN

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 b (new)

18b. Underlines the need for close monitoring of the implementation of the agreement and the human rights developments in Vietnam; Calls for a joint parliamentary scrutiny board, basing itself on the monitoring Group for Vietnam in the European Parliament and its equivalent in the Vietnamese National Assembly, which will be tasked to monitor the implementation of the agreement and the human rights developments in Vietnam;

Amendment 203 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19

19. Acknowledges the institutional and legal link between the FTA and the PCA, which theoretically ensures that human rights are placed at the core of the EU- Vietnam relationship; regrets that the Commission has always refused to define the grounds of which human rights could be invoked in order to stick effectively to the PCA and its linkage to art. 21.1 TEU: “The Union's action on the international scene shall be guided by the principles which have inspired its own creation, development and enlargement, and which it seeks to advance in the wider world: democracy, the rule of law, the universality and indivisibility of human rights and fundamental freedoms, respect for human dignity, the principles of equality and solidarity, and respect for the principles of the United Nations Charter and international law. The Union shall seek to develop relations and build partnerships with third countries, and international, regional or global organisations which share the principles referred to in the first subparagraph”

Amendment 204 #

Iuliu WINKLER, Enikő GYŐRI, Seán KELLY, Annie SCHREIJER-PIERIK

Motion for a resolution
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-Vietnam relationship; stresses in this respect that the deteriorating human rights situation in the country is not favourable to a swift ratification of this agreement; recalls its demand of 15 November 2018 notably with respect to the reform of the penal code, the death penalty, political prisoners and fundamental freedoms; believes that the new cyber-security law is fostering a greater online surveillance, control and repression regime in Vietnam and as such is not compatible with the EU’s value- based trade agenda; calls on the Vietnamese authorities to take concrete measures ahead of the consent vote in the European parliament to improve the situation as a signal of goodwill;

Amendment 205 #

Motion for a resolution
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;

Amendment 206 #

Jytte GUTELAND, Inma RODRÍGUEZ-PIÑERO, Jude KIRTON-DARLING, Evin INCIR, Nikos ANDROULAKIS, Monika BEŇOVÁ

Motion for a resolution
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-Vietnam relationship; urges the Parties to make full use of the agreements in order to improve the urgent human rights situation in Vietnam; underlines the importance of an ambitious Human Rights Dialogue between the EU and Vietnam;

Amendment 207 #

Motion for a resolution
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-Vietnam relationship; stresses that serious non-compliance with the human rights commitments agreed in the PCA would give the EU the right to revoke the FTA.

Amendment 208 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19

19. Acknowledges the institutional and legal link between the FTA and the PCA, which should ensures that human rights are placed at the core of the EU-Vietnam relationship; calls on the Commission to monitor closely the implementation of binding human rights commitments;

Amendment 209 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 a (new)

19a. Calls on the government of Vietnam to publicly announce its commitment, with a clear timeline, to repeal or amend articles 109, 116, 117,118 and 331 of the Penal Code and articles 74 and 173 of the Criminal Procedure Code, bringing the criminal legislation in conformity with the country’s obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR)

Amendment 21 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital A

Amendment 210 #

Karin KARLSBRO, Barbara Ann GIBSON, Samira RAFAELA, Jordi CAÑAS, Urmas PAET, Elsi KATAINEN, Dita CHARANZOVÁ, Svenja HAHN

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 a (new)

19a. Welcomes the agreement, which will create more free and fair trade opportunities between the EU and Vietnam; urges the European Parliament to give it consent to the agreement, given that Vietnam takes steps to improve the civil and labour rights situation as to move in the direction of its commitments;

Amendment 211 #

Bernd LANGE, Biljana BORZAN, Inma RODRÍGUEZ-PIÑERO, Miroslav ČÍŽ, Monika BEŇOVÁ

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 a (new)

19a. Demands the immediate release of all political prisoners, members of civil society such as bloggers or independent labour unionists, currently detained or convicted, notably those listed in EP 14.12.2017 and 15.11.2018 resolutions;

Amendment 212 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 a (new)

19a. Stresses that the agreement has already fostered changes in many areas through dialogue and sees the agreement as the basis for further improvements for the people through dialogue.

Amendment 213 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 a (new)

19a. Calls on the Council to swiftly adopt the Agreement;

Amendment 214 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 b (new)

19b. Demands a comprehensive reform of the Vietnamese Criminal Code aimed to meet basic international standards on fair trial, defence’s rights and abolition of death penalty;

Amendment 22 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital A

Amendment 23 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)

Aa. whereas despite the economic and political reforms initiated in 1986, Vietnam remains a one-party state which does not recognise fundamental freedoms such as freedom of association, freedom of speech, freedom of religion and freedom of the press; whereas the repressive nature of the regime and the grave and systematic violation of human rights in Vietnam have been documented by the European External Action Service in the 2018 EU annual report on human rights and democracy in the world, highlighting in particular the growing number of political prisoners in the country;

Amendment 24 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)

Aa. whereas Vietnam continues to be a one-party state, ruled by the Communist Party of Vietnam, with a record of systematic human rights and labour rights violations.

Amendment 25 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital A b (new)

Ab. whereas the EP resolution of 15 November 2018 called on the government of Vietnam "to repeal, review or amend all repressive laws, notably its Criminal Code"; whereas this call was not responded to by Vietnam; whereas none of the recommendations to amend or repeal abusive provisions in the Penal Code made in the framework of the latest Universal Periodic Review in March 2019 were accepted by Vietnam;

Amendment 26 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital A c (new)

Ac. whereas forced labour of prisoners remains a concerns in Vietnam; whereas the recent decision of the Vietnamese Ministry of Public Security to send 7,000 inmates to work for private companies was criticised by the Vietnamese National Assembly in August 2019;

Amendment 27 #

Danilo Oscar LANCINI, Marco CAMPOMENOSI

Motion for a resolution
Recital A d (new)

Ad. whereas Vietnam’s timetable for the ratification of ILO core Conventions has been pushed back, with the ratification of Convention 87 now foreseen for 2023, against 2020 as stated by the Vietnamese Ambassador to the EU at the European Parliament International Trade Committee meeting of 20 February 2018;

Amendment 28 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital B

B. whereas this is the second bilateral trade agreement concluded between the EU and an ASEAN member state and is an important stepping stone towards a region-to-region FTA; whereas the agreement, along with Free Trade Agreement between the EU and the Republic of Singapore to which Parliament gave its consent on 13 February 2019, will also serve as a benchmark for the agreements the EU is currently negotiating with the other main ASEAN economies;deleted

Amendment 29 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital B

B. whereas this is the second bilateral trade agreement concluded between the EU and an ASEAN member state ~~and is an important stepping stone towards a region-to-region FTA~~; whereas the agreement, along with Free Trade Agreement between the EU and the Republic of Singapore to which Parliament gave its consent on 13 February 2019, ~~will als~~risks to serve as a benchmark for the agreements the EU is currently negotiating with the other main ASEAN economies;

Amendment 3 #

Bernd LANGE, Biljana BORZAN, Inma RODRÍGUEZ-PIÑERO, Miroslav ČÍŽ, Monika BEŇOVÁ, Jude KIRTON-DARLING, Nicola DANTI

Motion for a resolution
Citation 13

– having regard to its resolution of 15 November 2018 on Vietnam, notably the situation of political prisoners6 , deploring that "Vietnamese authorities continue to imprison, detain, harass and intimidate human rights defenders, journalists, bloggers, human rights lawyers and civil society activists in the country", reiterating its previous year’s "call on the Vietnamese authorities to end all restrictions and acts of harassments against human rights defenders", and once again "calling on the authorities of Vietnam to repeal, review or amend all repressive laws and releasing all political prisoners", all of this without any tangible results other than silence and continued repression ; _________________ 6 Texts adopted, P8_TA(2018)0459.

Amendment 30 #

Karin KARLSBRO, Marie-Pierre VEDRENNE, Barbara Ann GIBSON, Samira RAFAELA, Jordi CAÑAS, Urmas PAET, Elsi KATAINEN, Dita CHARANZOVÁ, Svenja HAHN, Jérémy DECERLE

Motion for a resolution
Recital C

C. whereas 90 % of future world economic growth is predicted to be generated outside Europe, and ~~notably~~a significant part of this occurs in Asia;

Amendment 31 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital D

D. whereas Vietnam joined the WTO in 2007 and is now one of the most open and pro-free trade economies in the world, as shown by its 16 trade agreements with 56 countries; recognises that the EU and Vietnam continue to have widely differing stances on political and civil rights, the recommendations of international human rights bodies concerning Vietnam as well as the implementation of said recommendations; recognises that freedom of expression is restricted in Vietnam.

Amendment 32 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital D

D. whereas Vietnam joined the WTO in 2007 and is now ~~one of the most~~an open and pro-free trade econom~~ies in the world~~y, as shown by its 16 trade agreements with 56 countries;

Amendment 33 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital E

E. whereas Vietnam is a founding member of the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and a party to the ongoing negotiations on the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP); whereas under CP-TPP, before the US’ withdrawal from the agreement, Vietnam had committed to allow workers to set up independent trade unions within five years following the ratification of the agreement; whereas the text of the agreement also indicated specific provisions of the Labour Code Vietnam needed to amend in order to abide by its commitments;

Amendment 34 #

Karin KARLSBRO, Marie-Pierre VEDRENNE, Barbara Ann GIBSON, Samira RAFAELA, Jordi CAÑAS, Urmas PAET, Elsi KATAINEN, Dita CHARANZOVÁ, Svenja HAHN

Motion for a resolution
Recital E

E. whereas Vietnam is a founding member of the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and a party to the ~~ongoing~~recently concluded negotiations on the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP);

Amendment 35 #

Iuliu WINKLER, Enikő GYŐRI, Seán KELLY, Annie SCHREIJER-PIERIK

Motion for a resolution
Recital F

F. whereas Vietnam is a booming, competitive and connected economy with almost 100 million citizens, a growing middle class and a young and dynamic workforce; although it remains a lower- middle income economy faced with specific development challenges, as illustrated by its position on the UNDP human development index which currently stands at 116 out of 189 countries;

Amendment 36 #

Motion for a resolution
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

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 38 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital H a (new)

Ha. whereas the economic impact carried out by the Commission concluded to “export gains of €8 billion by 2035 for EU firms, while Vietnam exports to the EU are expected to grow by €15 billion” which would aggravate further the trade deficit of the EU;

Amendment 39 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital H a (new)

Ha. whereas, however, the impact assessment on this FTA forecasts that EU deficit with Vietnam, currently around 30 billion euros per year, will increase by 2035 as a result of suppression of tariffs and non-tariffs barriers;

Amendment 4 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 14

– having regard to the decision of the European Ombudsman of 26 February 2016 in case 1409/2014/MHZ on the European Commission’s failure to carry out a prior human rights impact assessment of the EU-Vietnam FTA7 and concluding that this failure is a case a maladministration, _________________ 7 https://www.ombudsman.europa.eu/en/deci sion/en/64308

Amendment 40 #

Karin KARLSBRO, Marie-Pierre VEDRENNE, Barbara Ann GIBSON, Samira RAFAELA, Jordi CAÑAS, Urmas PAET, Elsi KATAINEN, Dita CHARANZOVÁ, Svenja HAHN, Jérémy DECERLE

Motion for a resolution
Recital H a (new)

Ha. whereas it is important to maximise the opportunities offered by this agreement in the most inclusive manner for businesses, in particular SMEs;

Amendment 41 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital H b (new)

Hb. whereas, in the mission letter sent to all Commissioners-designate, President-elect von der Leyen insisted that “Each Commissioner will ensure the delivery of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals within their policy area”;

Amendment 42 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital H b (new)

Hb. whereas Vietnam has ratified the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) in 1982 ; whereas its implementation is still largely insufficient, as reported by many international organizations and NGO's

Amendment 43 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital H c (new)

Hc. whereas the Council has repeatedly called for policy coherence, for the incorporation of human rights in impact assessments for EU sectoral policies such as trade and for the EU will step up its efforts to promote a safe and enabling environment in which civil society and independent media can flourish; whereas the Council has stressed that access to effective remedies for victims of business-related human rights abuses is of crucial importance”;

Amendment 44 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital H c (new)

Hc. whereas a new cybersecurity law entered into force on 1st January 2019, potentially restricting the room for peaceful exercise of freedom of expression as well as posing considerable challenges for internet and social media operators in the country;

Amendment 45 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital H d (new)

Hd. whereas the Council has emphasised that it is in the EU's interest to continue to play a leading role in implementing the 2030 Agenda in a coherent, comprehensive, and effective manner,[considering that it is] an overarching priority of the EU, for the benefit of its citizens and for upholding its credibility within Europe and globally;

Amendment 46 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital H d (new)

Hd. whereas the European External Action Service has repeatedly highlighted a negative trend in Vietnam's human rights record, including most recently during the 8th EU-Vietnam human rights dialogue in March 2019 and in statements in May 2019 and June 2019;

Amendment 47 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital H e (new)

He. whereas the European Parliament has stressed that support for democratic systems and aspirations for the freedom of peoples should continue to be guiding principles for the EU’s economic interests and that goods circulated in its territory under ethical certification schemes are free from forced and child labour;

Amendment 48 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital H f (new)

Hf. whereas the European Parliament has strongly called for the systematic introduction of human rights clauses in all international agreements, including trade and investment agreements concluded and to be concluded between the EU and third countries; whereas the EP has requested on the one hand, the establishment of ex ante monitoring mechanisms before any framework agreement is concluded, and on which such conclusion is made conditional as a fundamental part of the agreement and, on the other hand, for ex post monitoring mechanisms that enable tangible action to be taken in response to infringements of these clauses;

Amendment 49 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital H g (new)

Hg. whereas the number of prisoners of conscience has risen from 75 in 2013 at the onset of the negotiations to 86 when the EU-Vietnam Partnership and Cooperation Agreement entered into force and to 128 in 2019; whereas the situation of Human Rights was regularly evoked with no significant progress, including in the framework of the bilateral Human Rights Dialogue;

Amendment 5 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 15 a (new)

– having regard to the European Parliament resolution of 17 April 2014 on the state of play of the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement “urg[ing] the Commission to carry out as soon as possible a Human Rights Impact Assessment with a view to ensuring ‘comprehensible trade indicators based on human rights and on environmental and social standards’, and in line with the Report of the UN Special Rapporteur on the right to food”,[1] [1] https://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/get Doc.do?pubRef=- %2F%2FEP%2F%2FTEXT%2BTA%2B P7-TA-2014- 0458%2B0%2BDOC%2BXML%2BV0%2 F%2FEN&language=EN

Amendment 50 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital H h (new)

Hh. whereas the European External Action Service warned in May 2019, the month before the signature of the EU- Vietnam FTA/IPA, against “an extensive enforcement of the national security provisions of the 2015 Penal Code and [the] continu[ation of] the negative trend, of prosecuting and sentencing Vietnamese citizens, including for peacefully expressing their opinions online [which are] direct breach of the international obligations, which Vietnam has itself signed up to [under the Vietnamese Constitution, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights], and which the European Union expects full respect for”[1]; [1] https://eeas.europa.eu/delegations/viet nam/62647/statement-behalf-eu- ambassador-vietnam-recent-convictions- ms-vu-thi-dung-and-ms-nguyen-thi_en

Amendment 51 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital H i (new)

Hi. whereas Vietnam has officially rejected all recommendations to take concrete steps to improve its human rights record during its latest UN scrutiny in the Universal Periodic Review in March 2019;

Amendment 52 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital H j (new)

Hj. whereas, according to the 2019 World Justice Project Rule of Law Index[1], Vietnam ranked 81 out of 126 investigated countries when it comes to government openness (as assessed by the four following dimensions : publicized laws and government data, right to information, civic participation, and complaint mechanisms); [1] https://worldjusticeproject.org/our- work/research-and-data/wjp-rule-law- index-2019

Amendment 53 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital H k (new)

Hk. whereas according to the Press Freedom Ranking established by Reporters Without Borders in 2019[1], Vietnam ranked 176 out of 180 countries; whereas this mediocre score is explained by about thirty journalists or bloggers put in fail following a heavy- handed use of Articles 79, 88 and 258 of the criminal code, under which “anti-state propaganda” and “abusing the rights to freedom and democracy to threaten the interests of the state” are punishable by long prison terms; [1] https://rsf.org/en/ranking_table

Amendment 54 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital H l (new)

Hl. whereas some 1.75 million working children are categorised as “child labourers”, accounting for 9.6per cent of the national child population whereas about 67per cent of them work in agriculture while 15.7per cent are active in construction/manufacturing and 16.7per cent in services.”[1]; whereas an update of these figures and a roadmap to eradicate child labour by 2025 and eliminate forced labour, modern slavery and human trafficking by 2030 are expected by December 2019; whereas the President-elect Von der Leyen raised the zero-tolerance approach to child labour as a fundamental and cross- cutting principle of the European Commission; [1] https://www.ilo.org/wcmsp5/groups/pu blic/---asia/---ro-bangkok/---ilo- hanoi/documents/publication/wcms_2378 33.pdf

Amendment 55 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital H m (new)

Hm. whereas in 2011, the European Parliament adopted a resolution on the extension of preferential tariffs to textiles imported from Uzbekistan in which it recalled that “on the basis of the principles and objectives of the Union's external action, the Union has the moral responsibility to use its leverage, as one of the main trading partners and a major importer [and] therefore, the Agreement cannot be treated as a purely trade and investment-related agreement, as long as human rights concerns are raise”; whereas the deterioration of the since the launch of negotiations in 2012 and despite the entry into force of the PCA in 2016leads to a similar conclusion;

Amendment 56 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital H n (new)

Hn. whereas Vietnam was issued a yellow card in 2017 under the Council Regulation (EC) No 1005/2008 establishing a Community system to prevent, deter and eliminate illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing; whereas this unsustainable practice represents a breach of Article 13.9 of the Trade and Sustainable Development chapter; whereas Vietnam is currently cooperating with the EU on the matter on the basis of 9 recommendations that go with the yellow card and has recently adopted a new framework fishery law together with its implementing decrees;

Amendment 57 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital H o (new)

Ho. whereas the Council and the European Parliament have underlined the importance of timely availability of generics and biosimilars in order to increase competition, to reduce prices, to facilitate patients' access to pharmaceutical therapies and to improve the sustainability of national health systems;

Amendment 58 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph -1 (new)

-1. Notes that in the current context of raising protectionism and citizens’ justified concerns about climate change and unfair globalisation, old fashioned trade agreements are no longer tenable and regrets the missed opportunity for the EU to introduce stronger human rights and sustainability provisions in this FTA at these challenging times;

Amendment 59 #

Motion for a resolution
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~~;

Amendment 6 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 16 a (new)

– having regard to the Treaty on European Union (TEU), and in particular Title V thereof on the Union’s external action, especially Article 21.1 stating that “The Union's action on the international scene shall be guided by the principles which have inspired its own creation, development and enlargement, and which it seeks to advance in the wider world: democracy, the rule of law, the universality and indivisibility of human rights and fundamental freedoms, respect for human dignity, the principles of equality and solidarity”,

Amendment 60 #

Motion for a resolution
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 61 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1

1. ~~Stresses~~Welcomes 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 62 #

Motion for a resolution
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~~; recalls that Vietnam is still a beneficiary under the EU’s GSP scheme;

Amendment 63 #

Danilo Oscar LANCINI, Marco CAMPOMENOSI

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1

1. Stresses that the EU-Vietnam FTA (EVFTA) is the most modern, 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;

Amendment 64 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)

1a. Points out that Vietnam is benefiting from the GSP scheme and that EU is currently running a trade deficit with that country, imports from it amounting to EUR 38.2 billion in 2018, compared with exports of only EUR 11.1 billion;

Amendment 65 #

Iuliu WINKLER, Enikő GYŐRI, Seán KELLY, Annie SCHREIJER-PIERIK, Massimiliano SALINI

Motion for a resolution
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 66 #

Motion for a resolution
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 67 #

Motion for a resolution
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;~~ the decision of the Commission to not proceed with a human rights impact assessment in spite of the 4 years between passed the political conclusion and the signature of the agreements;

Amendment 68 #

Motion for a resolution
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~~but wishes that INTA committee members and the European Parliament as a whole, which are not responsible for these delays, take all time necessary to study carefully this Agreement;

Amendment 69 #

Motion for a resolution
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~~;

Amendment 7 #

Danilo Oscar LANCINI, Markus BUCHHEIT, Marco CAMPOMENOSI

Motion for a resolution
Citation 17 a (new)

– having regard to the EU Action Plan on Human Rights and Democracy 2015-2019,

Amendment 70 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)

2a. Points out that Vietnam is a founding member of the TPP and is currently taking part in the RCEP negotiations; notes that, it has concluded a number of free-trade agreements with countries in the region under ASEAN arrangements; highlights accordingly the potential risk of importing from Vietnam agricultural and other products of doubtful origin, some of them from countries with which Europe does not have direct agreements; stresses, therefore, the importance of effective monitoring arrangements to ensure the safety of products imported from Vietnam and verify their origin;

Amendment 71 #

Iuliu WINKLER, Enikő GYŐRI, Seán KELLY, Annie SCHREIJER-PIERIK, Christophe HANSEN

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3

Amendment 72 #

Motion for a resolution
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 73 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3

3. Stresses the economic and strategic importance of this agreement, ~~as the EU and Vietnam share a common agenda and common values~~which will only succeed if it manages to align the EU and Vietnam's agenda and values in relation to sustainable development – to stimulate growth and employment, boost competitiveness, fight against poverty ~~and~~, make progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and support workers’ rights and fundamental freedoms;

Amendment 74 #

Karin KARLSBRO, Marie-Pierre VEDRENNE, Barbara Ann GIBSON, Samira RAFAELA, Jordi CAÑAS, Urmas PAET, Elsi KATAINEN, Dita CHARANZOVÁ, Svenja HAHN

Motion for a resolution
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); and champion a rules-based multilateral international trade system;

Amendment 75 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3

3. Stresses the economic and strategic importance of this agreement, as the EU and Vietnam share a common ~~agenda and common value~~goals – to stimulate growth and employment, boost competitiveness, fight against poverty and make progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs); – and as Vietnam seeks to lessen its dependence on China.

Amendment 76 #

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, bolster rule-based international trade and make progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs);

Amendment 77 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3

3. Stresses the economic and strategic importance of ~~this agreement,~~a partnership 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~~ achiev~~ing~~e the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs);

Amendment 78 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3

3. Stresses the economic and strategic importance and value 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);

Amendment 79 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3

3. Stresses the economic and strategic importance of this agreement, as the EU and Vietnam share a common agenda ~~and common values –~~designed to stimulate growth and employment, boost competitiveness, fight against poverty and make progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs);

Amendment 8 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 17 b (new)

– having regard to the Council Conclusions on Child Labour of 20 June 2016;

Amendment 80 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)

3a. Stresses that EU trade agreements should be put in the service of sustainable development for citizens and to protect consumers, workers and the environment, to create decent jobs, to fight money laundering, tax evasion and the financing of terrorism, to uphold EU standards, safeguarding public services and respecting democratic procedures whilst boosting EU export opportunities; therefore a fundamental change in the current trade paradigm is of utmost importance, putting sustainability on equal footing with economic interests;

Amendment 81 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)

3a. Underlines the significance of the agreement in terms of competitiveness of EU businesses in the region; notes that European companies are facing increased competition from countries with which Vietnam has already free trade agreements, notably the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans- Pacific Partnership (CPTPP);

Amendment 82 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 b (new)

3b. Stresses the importance of bringing the Cybersecurity Law into conformity with Vietnam’s human rights international obligations in due time before the ratification of the Agreement by the EU;

Amendment 83 #

Danilo Oscar LANCINI, Markus BUCHHEIT, Marco CAMPOMENOSI

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 c (new)

3c. Deplores the fact that no human rights impact assessment was ever carried out prior to the launching of negotiations in spite of repeated demands from the European Parliament and serious concerns regarding the protection of human rights in Vietnam, notably following the decision of the European Ombudsman of 26 February 2016, which concluded that the refusal of the European Commission to carry out a prior human rights impact assessment of the EU/Vietnam Free Trade Agreement is unjustified and constitutes a case of maladministration;

Amendment 84 #

Christophe HANSEN

Motion for a resolution
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; emphasizes that the recent conclusion of text-based negotiations on the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) as well as the entry into force of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) on 30 December 2018, agreements to which Viet Nam is a party, increases the geopolitical and economic necessity for the EU to step up its engagement with the ASEAN region;

Amendment 85 #

Karin KARLSBRO, Marie-Pierre VEDRENNE, Barbara Ann GIBSON, Samira RAFAELA, Jordi CAÑAS, Urmas PAET, Elsi KATAINEN, Dita CHARANZOVÁ, Svenja HAHN, Jérémy DECERLE

Motion for a resolution
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 that the agreement helps the EU to strengthen its presence in the ASEAN region, and allows the EU to promote its standards and values in the region; recalls its full support to multilateralism and the importance to achieve a sustainable and ambitious reform of the WTO able to ensure a rules-based international trade;

Amendment 86 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4

4. ~~Is convinced~~Hopes 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 tradeprogress in terms of high standards and standards in the ASEAN region;

Amendment 87 #

Iuliu WINKLER, Massimiliano SALINI

Motion for a resolution
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 88 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4

Amendment 89 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4

4. Is convinced that ~~the agreement will~~a partnership can 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;~~but stresses that theis 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~~unlimited trade of goods in the current non-sustainable and harmful globalization;

Amendment 9 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 17 c (new)

– having regard to the Council Conclusions “Towards an ever more sustainable Union by 2030" of 9 April 2019,

Amendment 90 #

Motion for a resolution
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 91 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4

Amendment 92 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4

4. ~~Is convinced~~Hopes 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 theis agreement ~~also sends a strong signal in favour of open and free trade at times of protectionist tendencies and the questioning of~~has been concluded in a context of growing protectionism and serious challenges to the multilateral rules-based trade;

Amendment 93 #

Iuliu WINKLER, Jörgen WARBORN, Massimiliano SALINI

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5

5. Underlines that the agreement will eliminate over 99 % of tariffs9 ; concludes that EU companies will use this as an incentive to outsource plants and jobs from our territory to Vietnam, destructing more jobs in our own manufacturing sector, 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; _________________ 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 94 #

Motion for a resolution
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 95 #

Motion for a resolution
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, which frequently constitute a significant hurdle for small and medium- sized enterprises (SMEs); _________________ 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)

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 97 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)

5a. Stresses the importance of ensuring effective and reliable controls, including through enhanced customs cooperation in Europe, to prevent the agreement becoming a gangway for the entry into Europe for goods from other countries;

Amendment 98 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 b (new)

5b. Regrets that, once again, agricultural products, especially certain sensitive products such as rice and cereals, are subject to a duty-free quota of 80 000 tonnes for the first seven years only; recalls in this connection the implementation of the safeguard clauses for rice in the case of Cambodia and Myanmar and the importance of monitoring the consequences of the agreement regarding rice production trends in Vietnam;

Amendment 99 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

6. Stresses theat improved access under this agreement to Vietnamese public procurement ~~in line with the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA), as Vietnam is not yet a member of the GPA~~will be limited for many years to the biggest projects, since financial thresholds will remain very high; underlines that the government procurement chapter of the EVFTA achieves a degree of transparency and procedural fairness comparable to other FTAs that the EU has signed with developed and more advanced developing countries, but stresses the fact that Vietnamese administration going on, in spite of recent reforms and significant efforts, to suffer many problems regarding corruption (as highlighted by last Transparency Watch Index), it will be very difficult for EU companies, especially SMEs, to get the same level playing field as Vietnamese local and/or State Owned Enterprises;

source: 643.175

2019/11/14 AFET 125 amendments...

Amendment 1 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1

1. Recalls that Parliament gave its consent to the EU-Viet Nam Framework Agreement on Comprehensive Partnership and Cooperation (PCA) on 17 December 20151 , which defines future relations and aims to enhance further cooperation on global and regional challenges; regrets that the commission has failed to undertake a comprehensive human rights impact assessment in advance; calls for the commission to do it now; notes with concern that serious human rights violations have intensified since the entry into force of the PCA; _________________ 1 Texts adopted, P8_TA(2015)0467.

Amendment 1 #

Draft opinion
Citation 2 a (new)

- Having regard to Article 28.2.b of the Common Fisheries Policy EU 1380/2013

Amendment 10 #

Raphaël GLUCKSMANN, Maria NOICHL, Maria ARENA, Bettina VOLLATH, Isabel SANTOS, Andrea COZZOLINO, Nacho SÁNCHEZ AMOR

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3

3. Acknowledges Viet Nam’s efforts to undertake a~~n ambitious~~ reform agenda, notably on the environmental and labour rights of the sustainable development chapter of the FTA; welcomes the ratification of six out of eight core ILO Conventions, namely No. 29 on forced labour, Nos. 100 and 111 on non- discrimination, Nos. 138 and 182 on child labour and most recently No. 98 on the right to organise and collective bargaining; calls on the Vietnamese Government to quickly ratify and fully implement the outstanding Conventions; regrets that the sustainable development chapter does not create any legal and binding obligation; calls for a public and binding calendar for the ratification of ILO Conventions No. 87 on Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organize and No. 105 on the Abolition of Forced labour;

Amendment 10 #

Draft opinion
Recital A b (new)

Ab. whereas the EU is the world’s largest trader of fishery and aquaculture products in value terms, reaching a trade volume of more than EUR 2,3 billion in 2017;

Amendment 11 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3

3. Acknowledges Viet Nam’s efforts to undertake an ambitious reform agenda, notably on the environmental and labour rights of the sustainable development chapter of the FTA; calls on the Vietnamese Government to take all appropriate legislative and non-legislative measures to ensure the highest attainable human rights standards- including but not limited to - environmental and labour standards, and guarantee that these are effectively upheld and implemented; welcomes the ratification of six out of eight core ILO Conventions, namely No. 29 on forced labour, Nos. 100 and 111 on non- discrimination, Nos. 138 and 182 on child labour and most recently No. 98 on the right to organise and collective bargaining; ~~calls on~~urges the Vietnamese Government to quickly ratify the outstanding Conventions;

Amendment 11 #

Ivo HRISTOV, Nicolás GONZÁLEZ CASARES, Manuel PIZARRO, Isabel CARVALHAIS, Clara AGUILERA

Draft opinion
Recital A c (new)

Ac. whereas Vietnam is the fourth biggest world fish producer, followed by the European Union;

Amendment 12 #

Fabio Massimo CASTALDO

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3

3. Acknowledges Viet Nam’s efforts to undertake an ambitious reform agenda, notably on the environmental and labour rights of the sustainable development chapter of the FTA; welcomes the ratification of six out of eight core ILO Conventions, namely No. 29 on forced labour, Nos. 100 and 111 on non- discrimination, Nos. 138 and 182 on child labour and most recently No. 98 on the right to organise and collective bargaining; calls on the Vietnamese Government to quickly ratify the outstanding Conventions, namely the convention No. 105 on abolition of forced labour and No. 87 on freedom of association and protection of the right to organise; believes that the grant by the government of the protections afforded by said conventions to its citizens should constitute a prerequisite for the entry into force of the FTA;

Amendment 12 #

Draft opinion
Recital A c (new)

Ac. whereas the EU imports more than 70% of the fish products, which it consumes;

Amendment 13 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3

3. Acknowledges Viet Nam’s efforts to undertake a~~n ambitious~~ reform agenda, notably on the environmental and labour rights of the sustainable development chapter of the FTA; welcomes the ratification of six out of eight core ILO Conventions, namely No. 29 on forced labour, Nos. 100 and 111 on non- discrimination, Nos. 138 and 182 on child labour and most recently No. 98 on the right to organise and collective bargaining; calls on the Vietnamese Government to quickly ratify and fully implement the outstanding Conventions; stresses however that the full implementation of the ILO conventions is not possible until the Vietnamese Criminal Code is revised in accordance with international human rights standards and obligations;

Amendment 13 #

Ivo HRISTOV, Nicolás GONZÁLEZ CASARES, Manuel PIZARRO, Isabel CARVALHAIS, Clara AGUILERA

Draft opinion
Recital A d (new)

Ad. whereas according to EUMOFA, the EU imports cover 68% of the EU domestic consumption;

Amendment 14 #

Leopoldo LÓPEZ GIL

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3

Amendment 14 #

Draft opinion
Recital A d (new)

Ad. whereas Viet Nam has up-to-now protected one GI product (Phú Quốc) as a Protected designation of origin (PDO), which is a fish product, as part of the EU quality schemes; whereas the EVTA foresees the protection of 169 EU GIs for wines, spirits and food products in Viet Nam and the reciprocal protection of 39 Vietnamese GIs in the EU;

Amendment 15 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)

3 a. Deeply deplores the worsening climate for human rights defenders and journalists in Vietnam and condemns all acts of violence, politically motivated charges, arbitrary detention, use of intrusive surveillance, harassment, sentences and convictions in respect to these individuals; calls on the Vietnamese authorities to immediately and unconditionally release all human rights defenders and prisoners of conscience detained and sentenced for merely exercising their right to freedom of expression, and to drop all charges against them;

Amendment 15 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph -1 (new)

-1. Reminds that in 2017 the European Union issued a "yellow card" to Vietnam as a non-cooperating country in the fight against illegal, unregulated and unreported (IUU) fishing due to its serious deficiencies in its control system; highlights that serious labour abuses in the Vietnamese fishing industry have been reported.

Amendment 16 #

Raphaël GLUCKSMANN, Maria NOICHL, Maria ARENA, Bettina VOLLATH, Jytte GUTELAND, Isabel SANTOS, Andrea COZZOLINO, Nacho SÁNCHEZ AMOR

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)

3 a. Stresses that labour rights and trade union freedoms, including those enshrined in the fundamental ILO conventions, are not reflected under the actual penal code; Remains concerned that Viet Nam rejected an high number of recommendations made during the Universal Periodic Review 2019 regarding the penal code in order to bring it in line with the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights; Calls on Vietnamese authorities to implement these recommendations, with clear and public benchmarks and calendar;

Amendment 16 #

Pietro BARTOLO, Clara AGUILERA, Manuel PIZARRO, Richard CORBETT, Predrag Fred MATIĆ, Giuseppe FERRANDINO, Ivo HRISTOV, Isabel CARVALHAIS, Carmen AVRAM, Nicolás GONZÁLEZ CASARES

Draft opinion
Paragraph -1 (new)

-1. Appreciates that the EVFTA strengthen cooperation between the partners in the fight against IUU fishing under its “Trade and Sustainable Development Chapter” and underlines the importance of strengthening the constructive dialogue with Vietnam in order to successfully address the global challenges posed by illegal fishing

Amendment 17 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4

4. Remains concerned about human rights violations, including the application of the death penalty in Viet Nam; calls on Viet Nam to introduce a moratorium and move towards abolition; deeply regrets that the number of political prisoners, human rights, labour, religious and environmental activists, journalists and bloggers has dramatically increased in recent years and calls for the immediate release of all persons detained for peaceful activities; highlights that human rights should constitute a cornerstone of the trade and sustainable development chapter of the FTA; regrets that the FTA focuses on a limited range of rights, mainly the core ILO conventions; calls therefore for a comprehensive human rights chapter to be accompained by an enforcement mechanism to ensure its imprementation in practice; calls for periodic independent evaluation of the impact of the agreement;

Amendment 17 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph -1 a (new)

-1a. Highlights that trade agreements are connected with the EU IUU policy and emphasises the need to ensure a level playing field in order to avoid a situation of unfair competition between the EU and imported products which would jeopardize the competitiveness of the EU fishing industry;

Amendment 18 #

Raphaël GLUCKSMANN, Maria NOICHL, Maria ARENA, Bettina VOLLATH, Isabel SANTOS, Andrea COZZOLINO, Nacho SÁNCHEZ AMOR

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4

4. Remains concerned about human rights violations, including the application of the death penalty in Viet Nam; calls on Viet Nam to introduce a moratorium and move towards abolition; ~~highlights that human rights constitute a cornerstone of the trade and sustainable development chapter of the FTA; calls for periodic evaluation of the impact of the agreement~~calls for periodic evaluation of the impact of the agreement; deeply regrets that the number of political prisoners, human rights, labour, religious and environmental activists, journalists and bloggers has dramatically increased in recent years, and calls for the immediate and unconditional release of all persons detained for the peaceful exercise of their freedom of expression;

Amendment 18 #

Malik AZMANI, Liesje SCHREINEMACHER, Ilhan KYUCHYUK, Klemen GROŠELJ, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Javier NART

Draft opinion
Paragraph -1 (new)

-1. 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 19 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4

4. Remains very concerned about various and ongoing human rights violations in Vietnam, including a crackdown on human rights defenders and civil society organisations, the curtailing of press freedom, freedom of expression and association as well as the application of the death penalty ~~in Viet Nam~~; calls on Viet Nnam to introduce a moratorium ~~and move towards abolition~~on the death penalty and to move towards abolition; also calls on Vietnam to repeal its cyber security law, to release all political prisoners and to introduce a swift timeline for the ratification and implementation of outstanding ILO conventions; highlights that human rights constitute a cornerstone of the trade and sustainable development chapter of the FTA; calls for periodic evaluation of progress in the field of human rights and social development as well as the impact of the agreement;

Amendment 19 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1

1. ~~Appreciates~~Takes note of the adoption by the Vietnamese Government of a new framework law for the fisheries sector and the setup of coordinated monitoring, control and enforcement structures committed to effectively tackling and deterring IUU fishing; reminds that further efforts need to be deployed by the Vietnamese authorities in order to ensure an effective implementation an enforcement of the new legal framework;

Amendment 2 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1

1. Recalls that Parliament gave its consent to the EU-Viet Nam Framework Agreement on Comprehensive Partnership and Cooperation (PCA) on 17 December 20151 , which defines future relations and aims to enhance further cooperation on global and regional challenges; notes with concern that serious human rights violations have intensified since the entry into force of the PCA; _________________ 1 Texts adopted, P8_TA(2015)0467.

Amendment 2 #

Draft opinion
Citation 2 b (new)

- Having regard to the European Parliament resolution of 30 May 2018 on the implementation of control measures for establishing the conformity of fisheries products with access criteria to the EU market (2017/2129(INI)),

Amendment 20 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4

4. Remains concerned about human rights violations, including the application of the death penalty in Viet Nam; reiterates its opposition to the death penalty in all circumstances; calls on Viet Nam to introduce an immediate moratorium a~~nd move~~s a step towards abolition; highlights that human rights should constitute a cornerstone of the trade and sustainable development chapter of the FTA; regrets that instead it only focuses on a limited range of rights, mainly the core ILO conventions; stresses that this is insufficient and calls therefore for its revision in order to include human rights in a comprehensive way and to accompany it with an enforcement mechanism that will ensure its effective implementation; calls for periodic evaluation of the impact of the agreement;

Amendment 20 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1

1. Appreciates and acknowledges the adoption by the Vietnamese Government of a new framework law for the fisheries sector ~~and~~, various sub-law documents, the setup of coordinated monitoring, control and enforcement structures ~~committed to~~, intensified the dissemination on legal regulations to fishermen, and implemented a national action programme on effectively tackling and deterring IUU fishing;

Amendment 21 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4

4. Remains concerned about human rights violations, including the application of the death penalty in Viet Nam; ~~calls on~~urges Viet Nam to introduce a moratorium and ~~move towards abolition;~~take immediate steps towards abolition; notes with concern the continued restriction of freedom of expression, association, and peaceful assembly in Viet Nam, as it has been repeatedly stressed – in the 14 December 2017 and 9 June 2016 urgency European Parliament’s resolutions –, Viet Nam’s human rights record raises grave concerns, and casts serious doubts about the country’s stated commitment to respect human rights: highlights that human rights constitute a cornerstone of the trade and sustainable development chapter of the FTA; ~~calls for periodic evaluation of the impact of the agreement;~~

Amendment 21 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 – point a (new)

(a) Notes that Vietnam has 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 22 #

Michal ŠIMEČKA

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4

4. Remains concerned about continuing human rights violations, including the ~~application of the death penalty in Viet Nam; calls on Viet Nam to~~sentencing, political intimidation, surveillance, harassment, assaults, kidnapping and unfair trials of political activists journalists, bloggers, dissidents and human rights defenders, as well as the application of the death penalty in Viet Nam; calls on Viet Nam to adhere international law and international human rights obligations and introduce a moratorium and move towards abolition; highlights that human rights constitute a cornerstone of the trade and sustainable development chapter of the FTA; calls for periodic evaluation of the impact of the agreement;

Amendment 22 #

Ivo HRISTOV, Nicolás GONZÁLEZ CASARES, Manuel PIZARRO, Isabel CARVALHAIS, Clara AGUILERA

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)

1a. 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 23 #

Fabio Massimo CASTALDO

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4

4. Remains concerned about human rights violations, including the application of the death penalty in Viet Nam; calls on Viet Nam to introduce a moratorium and move towards abolition; recalls that the Vietnamise government has not implemented any modification to its legislation on national security; on the contrary, it has recently intensified its crackdown on human rights defenders, members of civil society, religious groups and individuals who express opinions deemed critical of the government; calls on the Vietnamese government to amend or repeal articles of the Penal Code that could be abused to repress dissent, such as articles 258 (331), 88 (117) and 79 (109), as well as its Cybersecurity Law; highlights that human rights constitute a cornerstone of the trade and sustainable development chapter of the FTA; calls for periodic evaluation of the impact of the agreement;

Amendment 23 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)

1a. is concerned by the so-called "blue boat" phenomenon of the Vietnamese fishermen, which have been practiced in the past years in the territorial waters of several neighbouring countries such as Thailand, the Philippines, Indonesia and Malaysia and also Pacific states such as Palau, the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and New Caledonia as well as Australia, which creates economic, but also social and security concerns for the affected nations and the region as a whole; expresses hopes that the efforts undertaken by the authorities will deliver in shortest possible terms for the common good of both the EU-Viet Nam relations and for the stability of the broader South- east Asian region;

Amendment 24 #

Urmas PAET

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4

4. Remains concerned about human rights violations, including the application of the death penalty in Viet Nam; calls on Viet Nam to introduce a moratorium and move towards abolition; calls for Vietnam to revise the penal code and the new Cyber Security Law in line with international standards; highlights that human rights constitute a cornerstone of the trade and sustainable development chapter of the FTA; calls for periodic evaluation of the impact of the agreement;

Amendment 24 #

Giuseppe FERRANDINO, Clara AGUILERA, Manuel PIZARRO, Ivo HRISTOV, Isabel CARVALHAIS, Nicolás GONZÁLEZ CASARES

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)

1a. Expresses its appreciation for the cooperation framework in the promotion of the development of sustainable aquaculture, provided by the "Trade and Development Chapter";

Amendment 25 #

Martin HORWOOD, Ilhan KYUCHYUK, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Irina VON WIESE

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4

4. Remains concerned about human rights violations, including the application of the death penalty in Viet Nam; calls on Viet Nam to introduce a moratorium and move towards abolition of the death penalty; highlights that human rights constitute a cornerstone of the trade and sustainable development chapter of the FTA; calls for ~~periodic~~close and continuous evaluation of the human rights impact of the agreement through an independent monitoring and complaint mechanism;

Amendment 25 #

Rosanna CONTE

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2

2. Underlines the huge challenges still facing the Vietnamese authorities with regard to the overcapacity of its highly fragmented fishing fleet and the overexploitation of marine resources; expresses concern, therefore, with regard to imports into the EU and calls for the rigorous monitoring of control systems;

Amendment 26 #

Leopoldo LÓPEZ GIL

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4

4. Remains concerned about human rights violations, including the application of the death penalty in Viet Nam; calls on Viet Nam to introduce a moratorium and move towards abolition; highlights that human rights constitute a cornerstone of the trade and sustainable development chapter of the FTA; calls for ~~periodic~~a yearly evaluation of the impact of the agreement;

Amendment 26 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2

2. Underlines the huge challenges still facing the Vietnamese authorities with regard to the overcapacity of its highly fragmented fishing fleet and the overexploitation of marine resources; points out, moreover, that the 'yellow card' notification is still effective;

Amendment 27 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 – subparagraph 1 (new)

Urges Viet Nam to adhere to international business and human rights standards, recalling the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights that demand a strict observation of supply chain due diligence, the creation of national legislative frameworks that guarantee corporate responsibility, transparency and accountability, as well as an obligation to prevent and mitigate adverse human rights impacts; stresses the importance of monitoring and assessing the impact of this Agreement on sustainable development through their respective policies, practices, participative processes and institutions;

Amendment 27 #

France JAMET

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2

2. Underlines, however, the huge challenges still facing the Vietnamese authorities with regard to the overcapacity of its highly fragmented fishing fleet and the overexploitation of marine resources and the ineffectiveness of monitoring;

Amendment 28 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)

4 a. Calls on the authorities of Vietnam to repeal, review or amend all repressive laws, notably its Penal Code, its law on Cybersecurity and the Law on Belief and Religion, and to ensure that all legislation is inconformity with international human rights standards and obligations, including the ICCPR to which Vietnam is a party; calls on the government to bring legislation regulating public gatherings and demonstrations into conformity with the rights of freedom of assembly and association;

Amendment 28 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)

2a. Highlights that the EU is one of the largest foreign investors in Vietnam and that Vietnam has become the EU's second most important trading partner in the ASEAN region; highlights furthermore that Vietnam an important export market is 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 29 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)

4 a. Calls on Vietnam - in order to show its good will -to implement right away previously demanded human rights requirements as adopted in the EP resolution on the PCA with Vietnam of 17 December 2015, inter alia by revising the Criminal Code in order to refrain from suppression of peaceful exercise of the right to freedom of expression, assembly and association and to release prisoners of conscience,

Amendment 29 #

Pietro BARTOLO, Clara AGUILERA, Manuel PIZARRO, Richard CORBETT, Predrag Fred MATIĆ, Giuseppe FERRANDINO, Ivo HRISTOV, Isabel CARVALHAIS, Carmen AVRAM, Nicolás GONZÁLEZ CASARES

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)

2a. Stresses the importance of implementing Vietnam’s new fisheries legislation at provincial level and communicate the importance of compliance to the local stakeholders in the fisheries sector

Amendment 3 #

Raphaël GLUCKSMANN, Maria NOICHL, Maria ARENA, Bettina VOLLATH, Jytte GUTELAND, Isabel SANTOS, Andrea COZZOLINO, Nacho SÁNCHEZ AMOR

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1

1. Recalls that Parliament gave its consent to the EU-Viet Nam Framework Agreement on Comprehensive Partnership and Cooperation (PCA) on 17 December 20151 , which defines future relations and aims to enhance further cooperation on global and regional challenges; notes with concern that serious human rights violations have continued since the entry into force of the PCA; _________________ 1 Texts adopted, P8_TA(2015)0467.

Amendment 3 #

Martin HORWOOD, Ilhan KYUCHYUK, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Irina VON WIESE, Urmas PAET

Draft opinion
Citation 2 c (new)

- Having regard to the Commission communication of 14 October 2015 entitled ‘Trade for all: Towards a more responsible trade and investment policy’ (COM(2015)0497)

Amendment 30 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)

4 a. Notes, and subsequently regrets, that the text of the sustainability chapter does not include any reference to human rights, which are a fundamental aspect of good and sustainable governance, and a part of the founding principles of the European Union; human rights ought therefore to be an integral part of any agreement between the EU and a third state;

Amendment 30 #

Clara AGUILERA, Nicolás GONZÁLEZ CASARES, Manuel PIZARRO, Isabel CARVALHAIS, Ivo HRISTOV, Pietro BARTOLO, Giuseppe FERRANDINO

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3

3. ~~Encoura~~Urges the Vietnamese authorities to closely monitor the country’s fishing fleet and to implement measures to ensure the full traceability of fisheries products destined for export to the EU market;

Amendment 31 #

Raphaël GLUCKSMANN, Maria NOICHL, Maria ARENA, Bettina VOLLATH, Isabel SANTOS, Andrea COZZOLINO, Nacho SÁNCHEZ AMOR

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)

4 a. calls on the authorities of Vietnam to repeal its law on Cybersecurity and to bring legislation regulating public gatherings and demonstrations into conformity with the international legislation on freedom of assembly and association;

Amendment 31 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3

Amendment 32 #

Cláudia MONTEIRO DE AGUIAR

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 b (new)

4 b. Deplores the refusal of the European Commission to carry out a human rights impact assessment on the EU-Vietnam free trade agreement, which contradicts the decision of the EU Ombudsman of 2015 as well as the EU Action Plan on Human Rights and Democracy; calls on the European Commission to carry out a human rights impact assessment before the ratification of the FTA takes place;

Amendment 32 #

France JAMET

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3

3. ~~Encourages~~Calls on the Vietnamese authorities to closely monitor the country’s fishing fleet and to implement measures to ensure the full traceability of fisheries products destined for export to the EU market;

Amendment 33 #

Raphaël GLUCKSMANN, Maria NOICHL, Maria ARENA, Bettina VOLLATH, Isabel SANTOS, Andrea COZZOLINO, Nacho SÁNCHEZ AMOR

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 b (new)

4 b. highlights that human rights should constitute a cornerstone of trade and the sustainable development chapter of the FTA: regrets that instead it only focuses on a limited range of rights; calls therefore for a comprehensive human rights chapter with implementation measures, benchmarks and calendar; calls for the evaluation of the impact of the agreement periodically;

Amendment 33 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3

3. Encourages the Vietnamese authorities to closely monitor the country’s fishing fleet and to implement measures to ensure the full traceability of fisheries products destined for export to the EU market to ensure that these fishery products also meet the general health requirements for entry into the EU market;

Amendment 34 #

Raphaël GLUCKSMANN, Maria NOICHL, Maria ARENA, Bettina VOLLATH, Isabel SANTOS, Andrea COZZOLINO, Nacho SÁNCHEZ AMOR

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 c (new)

4 c. Deplores the refusal of the European Commission to carry out a human rights impact assessment on the EU-Vietnam free trade agreement and calls on the Commission to carry out one, prior to the entry into force of the agreement

Amendment 34 #

Giuseppe FERRANDINO, Clara AGUILERA, Manuel PIZARRO, Ivo HRISTOV, Isabel CARVALHAIS, Nicolás GONZÁLEZ CASARES

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3

3. Encourages the Vietnamese authorities to closely monitor the country’s fishing fleet and to implement measures to ensure the full traceability of fisheries products destined for export to the EU market. Calls on the Commission to ensure that all products entering the EU market comply with EU phyto-sanitary standards;

Amendment 35 #

Raphaël GLUCKSMANN, Maria NOICHL, Maria ARENA, Bettina VOLLATH, Isabel SANTOS, Andrea COZZOLINO, Nacho SÁNCHEZ AMOR

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 d (new)

4 d. Requests the application of the State to State dispute settlement to TSD Chapter

Amendment 35 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)

3a. Points out that to ensure that European consumers are properly protected, the traceability of fisheries products imported into the European market needs to be improved to meet European environmental, social, health and phyto-sanitary standards and to ensure that such products do not originate from IUU fishing;

Amendment 36 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5

5. Underlines that Article 13 of the FTA embodies a cooperative approach based on common values and interests, taking into account the differences in the Parties’ respective levels of development; stresses the importance of implementing all the principles enriched in Article 13 of the FTA, such as freedom of association, the elimination of all forms of forced or compulsory labour, the effective abolition of child labour; and the elimination of discrimination in respect of employment and occupation; welcomes the possibility of first resolving matters that fall under Article 13 on trade and sustainable development through exchange in the Committee on Trade and Sustainable Development; recalls that a Party may request that a Panel of Experts be convened to examine such matters in the event that the Committee is unable to resolve them satisfactorily;

Amendment 36 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)

3a. Stresses that, in order to ensure fair competition and a level playing field between Union and third country operators, fish products imported into the Union under the free-trade agreement with Vietnam should comply with EU phyto-sanitary, environmental and social standards;

Amendment 37 #

Clara AGUILERA, Nicolás GONZÁLEZ CASARES, Manuel PIZARRO, Isabel CARVALHAIS, Ivo HRISTOV, Pietro BARTOLO, Giuseppe FERRANDINO

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5

5. Underlines that Article 13 of the FTA embodies a cooperative approach based on common values and interests, taking into account the differences in the Parties’ respective levels of development; welcomes the possibility of first resolving matters that fall under Article 13 on trade and sustainable development through exchange in the Committee on Trade and Sustainable Development; re~~calls that~~grets that in case that the matters are not resolved, the second mechanism that allows a Party ~~may~~to request ~~that a~~an independent Panel of Experts ~~be convened to exam~~remaines su~~ch matters in the event that the Committee is unable to resolve them satisfactorily~~bordinated to the willingness and own precedure of the Parties;

Amendment 37 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)

3a. Recalls that fishing and aquaculture products are conditional sectors of investments, as described in Vietnam s investment framework, which prohibits investments deemed as detrimental to the environment, among other areas.

Amendment 38 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5

5. Underlines that Article 13 of the FTA embodies a cooperative approach based on common values and interests, taking into account the differences in the Parties’ respective levels of development; welcomes the possibility of first resolving matters that fall under Article 13 on trade and sustainable development through exchange in the Committee on Trade and Sustainable Development; re~~calls that a Party may request that a Panel of Experts be convened to exam~~grets that in case that the matters are not resolved, the second mechanism that allows a party to request an independent Panel of Experts remaines su~~ch matters in the event that the Committee is unable to resolve them satisfactorily~~bordinated to the willingness and own procedure of the parties;

Amendment 38 #

Pietro BARTOLO, Clara AGUILERA, Manuel PIZARRO, Richard CORBETT, Predrag Fred MATIĆ, Giuseppe FERRANDINO, Ivo HRISTOV, Isabel CARVALHAIS, Carmen AVRAM, Nicolás GONZÁLEZ CASARES

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)

3a. Encourages the Vietnamese authorities to allocate sufficient financial and human resources to the fight against IUU fishing at both the national and provincial level

Amendment 39 #

Raphaël GLUCKSMANN, Maria NOICHL, Maria ARENA, Bettina VOLLATH, Isabel SANTOS, Andrea COZZOLINO

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5

5. Underlines that Article 13 of the FTA embodies a cooperative approach based on common values and interests, taking into account the differences in the Parties’ respective levels of development; welcomes the possibility of first resolving matters that fall under Article 13 on trade and sustainable development through exchange in the Committee on Trade and Sustainable Development; re~~calls that a Party may~~grets that in case that the matters are not resolved, the second mechanism that allows a Party to request ~~that~~ a Panel of Experts ~~be convened to examine such matters in the event that the Committee is unable to resolve them satisfactorily~~remains subordinated to the willingness of the parties and lacks legal guarantees;

Amendment 39 #

Martin HORWOOD, Ilhan KYUCHYUK, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Irina VON WIESE

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 b (new)

3b. Considers it essential to ensure maximum transparency in order to protect consumers; stresses that the free-trade agreement between the EU and Vietnam should accordingly provide for effective rules on the traceability of imported products;

Amendment 4 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)

1 a. Recalls that in 2014 Parliament requested the Commission to conduct a human rights impact assessment of the envisaged Free Trade Agreement with Vietnam, a call that was echoed by the European Ombudsman in 2015, and notes that such an assessment is yet to take place; reiterates the call for the Commission to conduct such an assessment, prior to the agreement entering into force;

Amendment 4 #

Grace O'SULLIVAN, Caroline ROOSE, Francisco GUERREIRO, Benoît BITEAU

Draft opinion
Recital A a (new)

Aa. whereas Vietnam was issued a yellow card in 2017 under the Council Regulation (EC) No 1005/2008 establishing a Community system to prevent, deter and eliminate illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing; whereas this unsustainable practice represents a breach of Article 13.9 of the Trade and Sustainable Development chapter; whereas Vietnam is currently cooperating with the EU on the matter on the basis of 9 recommendations that go with the yellow card and has recently adopted a new framework fishery law together with its implementing decrees;

Amendment 40 #

Pietro BARTOLO, Manuel PIZARRO, Richard CORBETT, Predrag Fred MATIĆ, Giuseppe FERRANDINO, Ivo HRISTOV, Isabel CARVALHAIS, Carmen AVRAM, Nicolás GONZÁLEZ CASARES

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)

5 a. Urges the establishment of a monitoring mechanism on human rights and an independent complaint mechanism providing affected citizens and local stakeholders with effective recourse with a view to addressing potential negative impacts on human rights and the establishment of a dispute settlement mechanism with provision for fines and the suspension of trade benefits equivalent to mechanisms for market access provisions;

Amendment 40 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 b (new)

3b. Is of the opinion that preferential tariffs should be based on conditions, i.e. a coupling with controls, and a review on the achievement of those conditions, such as the level of reduction of fishing capacity

Amendment 41 #

Raphaël GLUCKSMANN, Maria NOICHL, Maria ARENA, Bettina VOLLATH, Isabel SANTOS, Andrea COZZOLINO, Nacho SÁNCHEZ AMOR

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)

5 a. urges the establishment of an independent complaint mechanism providing affected citizens and local stakeholders with effective recourse with a view to addressing potential negative impacts on human rights and the establishment of a dispute settlement mechanism with provision for fines and the suspension of trade benefits;

Amendment 41 #

Pietro BARTOLO, Clara AGUILERA, Manuel PIZARRO, Richard CORBETT, Predrag Fred MATIĆ, Giuseppe FERRANDINO, Ivo HRISTOV, Isabel CARVALHAIS, Carmen AVRAM, Nicolás GONZÁLEZ CASARES

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4

4. Is of the opinion that preferential tariffs should also be accompanied by monitoring and auditing of the implementation of the Vietnamese Action Plan to tackle IUU fishing and review of the commitments made by Vietnam under Article 13.9 of the EU-Viet Nam FTA;

Amendment 42 #

Ivo HRISTOV, Nicolás GONZÁLEZ CASARES, Manuel PIZARRO, Isabel CARVALHAIS, Clara AGUILERA

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)

5 a. Calls for the establishment of an inter-parliamentary group between the National Assembly of Vietnam and the EP for the speedy establishment of broad and as independent as possible Domestic Advisory Groups (DAGs); recalls the role of empowered DAGs in the pursuit of efforts to monitor and scrutinize the correct implementation of the FTA;

Amendment 42 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4

4. Is of the opinion that the trade of fish and aquaculture products, as well as preferential tariffs should be accompanied by monitoring of the implementation and review of the commitments made under Article 13.9 of the EU-Viet Nam FTA;

Amendment 43 #

Raphaël GLUCKSMANN, Maria NOICHL, Maria ARENA, Bettina VOLLATH, Isabel SANTOS, Andrea COZZOLINO, Nacho SÁNCHEZ AMOR

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6

6. Highlights that the FTA creates an institutional and legally binding link to the PCA; 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, or parts thereof, without delay; recalls that the European Ombudsman, in case1409/2014/MHZ on the EU-Vietnam FTA, found that the preamble of the EU- Vietnam FTA and other traditional tools, such as the ‘essential element’ clause of PCA and the human rights dialogue, are insufficient to adequately respect EU obligations, especially when the third country´s legislation is not in line with international human rights standards;

Amendment 43 #

France JAMET

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4

4. ~~Is of the opinion that~~Calls for preferential tariffs ~~should~~to be accompanied by monitoring of the implementation and review of the commitments made under Article 13.9 of the EU-Viet Nam FTA;

Amendment 44 #

Martin HORWOOD, Ilhan KYUCHYUK, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Irina VON WIESE, Urmas PAET

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6

6. Highlights that the FTA creates an institutional and legally binding link to the PCA; 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, or parts thereof, without delay; notes however that there is no precedent for the EU suspending bilateral trade agreements and believes that for such conditions to be credible, consequences must follow from breaches of agreements;

Amendment 44 #

Nicolás GONZÁLEZ CASARES, Clara AGUILERA

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)

4a. Is concerned about the inclusion of a zero-tariff quota on exports of 11500 tonnes of tinned tuna to the EU and its impact on the competitiveness of the EU canning sector, especially since Vietnam is subject to a 'yellow card' issued by the EU authorities for failings relating to IUU fishing; considers it necessary to make that quota conditional on the remedying of the failings in this area, and to monitor the impact of this type of quota on the EU industry and market;

Amendment 45 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6

Amendment 45 #

Pietro BARTOLO, Clara AGUILERA, Manuel PIZARRO, Richard CORBETT, Predrag Fred MATIĆ, Giuseppe FERRANDINO, Ivo HRISTOV, Isabel CARVALHAIS

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5

5. Recalls that the ‘yellow card’ notification should be seen as a means to encourage the Vietnamese authorities to persevere in their efforts to tackle IUU fishing activities; believes that further extension of the ‘yellow card’ should be accompanied by clear operational targets and timelines with a view to implement the measures needed and to give a constructive sense to the sanction;

Amendment 46 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6

Amendment 46 #

Rosanna CONTE

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5

5. Recalls that the ‘yellow card’ notification should be seen as a means to encourage the Vietnamese authorities to persevere in their efforts to tackle IUU fishing activities; believes that further extension of the ‘yellow card’ should be accompanied by clear operational targets and timelines; Vietnam should accordingly strive rigorously to combat IUU fishing practices, while the EU should monitor the situation and require scrupulous controls by Vietnam to ensure that no illegal fish products enter the Union market;

Amendment 47 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 a (new)

6 a. Calls on the EU and Vietnam to set up an independent monitoring and complaint mechanism on human rights providing affected citizens and local stakeholders with effective recourse to remedy and a tool to address potential negative impacts on human rights arising from the Free Trade Agreement;

Amendment 47 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5

5. Recalls that the ‘yellow card’ notification should be seen as a means to encourage the Vietnamese authorities to persevere in their efforts to tackle IUU fishing activities; believes that further extension of the ‘yellow card’ should be accompanied by clear operational targets and timelines; recalls also that possible revocation must be conditional on the full and effective implementation of all recommendations made by the Union in 2017;

Amendment 48 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7

7. Encourages the Commission to step up technical assistance and available funding to Viet Nam and its independent civil society in order to support Viet Nam’s compliance with its international human rights obligations and the monitoring of the proper implementation of Article 13 of the FTA.; notes with concerns that Vietnamese independent civil society has been harshly repressed and largely operates underground for fear of persecution and retaliations; calls on the Commission to ensure that genuinely independent civil society groups will be included in the domestic advisory groups foreseen in the sustainable development chapter and calls on the Commission to clarify what mechanisms will be in place to ensure that they can properly and safely play their role without fear of reprisal;

Amendment 48 #

Nicolás GONZÁLEZ CASARES

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5

5. Recalls that the ‘yellow card’ notification should be seen as a means to ~~enco~~urage the Vietnamese authorities to ~~persevere in their effort~~take measures to tackle IUU fishing activities; believes that further extension of the ‘yellow card’ should be accompanied by clear operational targets and timelines;

Amendment 49 #

Raphaël GLUCKSMANN, Maria NOICHL, Maria ARENA, Bettina VOLLATH, Jytte GUTELAND, Isabel SANTOS, Andrea COZZOLINO, Nacho SÁNCHEZ AMOR

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7

7. Encourages the Commission to step up technical assistance and available funding to Viet Nam and its independent civil society in order to support Viet Nam’s compliance with its international human rights obligations and the monitoring of the proper implementation of Article 13 of the FTA.; notes with concerns that Vietnamese independent civil society has been violently repressed; calls on the Commission to indicate which Vietnamese independent civil society groups will be included in the domestic advisory groups and how it will ensure that their independence is preserved;

Amendment 49 #

Ivo HRISTOV, Nicolás GONZÁLEZ CASARES, Manuel PIZARRO, Isabel CARVALHAIS, Clara AGUILERA

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)

5a. Stresses the need to align EU trade policy with other EU policies, such as the common fisheries policy; stresses that chapter 13 of the EU-Vietnam FTA, entitled 'Trade and Sustainable Development', explicitly raises the parties' obligation to work actively to tackle IUU fishing; considers that all the provisions in that chapter should be upheld and handled in the same way;

Amendment 5 #

Urmas PAET

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2

2. Underlines the strategic importance of Viet Nam as a crucial partner of the EU in South East Asia and among the ASEAN countries, specifically but not exclusively in relation to climate change negotiations, good governance, sustainable development, economic and social progress and the fight against terrorism; stresses the importance for the EU and Vietnam to fully respect and implement the Paris Agreement;

Amendment 5 #

Draft opinion
Recital A a (new)

Aa. whereas some fish-based products such as products with CN codes 1604 14 21 and 1604 14 26 are not included in a duty free regime in the EVTA, because of the sensitivity of these products for the European union;

Amendment 50 #

Fabio Massimo CASTALDO

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7

7. Encourages the Commission to step up technical assistance and available funding to Viet Nam and its independent civil society in order to support Viet Nam’s compliance with its international human rights obligations and the monitoring of the proper implementation of Article 13 of the FTA.; calls, in this regard, for the European Commission to ensure the creation of an effective independent monitoring and complaints mechanism for human rights protection and to guarantee that the Domestic Advisory Group in Vietnam is composed of truly independent and impartial members;

Amendment 50 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)

5a. Regrets that Vietnam has not ratified yet the ILO Work in Fishing Convention (ILO C188)and urges the Vietnamese authorities to ratify it before the entry into force of the FTA agreement.

Amendment 51 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7

Amendment 51 #

Clara AGUILERA, Nicolás GONZÁLEZ CASARES, Manuel PIZARRO, Isabel CARVALHAIS, Ivo HRISTOV, Pietro BARTOLO, Giuseppe FERRANDINO

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)

5a. Is of the opinion that no conflicting signals should be sent to third countries that have been pre-identified under the IUU or the Non-Sustainable Fishing Regulation;

Amendment 52 #

Leopoldo LÓPEZ GIL

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7

7. Encourages the Commission to step up technical assistance to Viet Nam and available funding ~~to Viet Nam and~~for the sound development of its independent civil society in order to support Viet Nam’s compliance with its international human rights obligations and the monitoring of the proper implementation of Article 13 of the FTA.

Amendment 52 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)

5a. Stresses the importance of including all EU fish products protected with a geographical indication of origin in chapter 12 of the FTA on intellectual property.

Amendment 53 #

Grace O'SULLIVAN, Caroline ROOSE, Francisco GUERREIRO, Benoît BITEAU

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 a (new)

7 a. Underlines the need for the European Parliament to closely follow and monitor developments in Viet Nam and the implementation of all parts of the FTA, once it enters into force, so that the European Parliament can respond to developments on the ground in the event of documented and proven serious breaches of human rights;

Amendment 53 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 b (new)

5b. requests the Commission to conduct regular impact assessments with regard to environmental and climate impacts after three years of implementation of the FTA in order to ensure full compatibility between trade liberalisation and EU’s climate targets; calls for the immediate activation of the amendment procedure in case of incompatibilities with sustainable development and the SDGs; stresses that Vietnam is currently in violation of the specific measures provided by the Agreement under the TSD chapter to fight against Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated fishing (IUU) and that the Commission has issued a yellow card in 2017 in the framework of the EU IUU Regulation; requests that preferential tariffs on fishery products be applied only once the conditions for lifting the yellow cards are met; deplores that while an article of the TSD chapter recalls the importance of responsible and sustainable aquaculture, there is no such an article on responsible and sustainable agriculture, a sector that should benefit strongly from the FTA;

Amendment 54 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 b (new)

7 b. Strongly believes that improvement of the rule of law, good governance, sustainable development and the respect of human rights in Viet Nam are necessary; Recommends that the European Parliament should consider giving its consent only when the government of Viet Nam has agreed a timetable with the EU Commission for the improvement of human rights in Viet Nam including proposals for revisions to those aspects of the penal code that currently legislate against freedom of speech, association and assembly.

Amendment 54 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 b (new)

5b. Recalls that the IUU regulation is one of the regulations that produces the best results when it comes to improving the sustainability of fisheries management at international level; believes that accepting the adoption of a trade agreement with a country on a 'yellow card' could reduce the impact of the regulation and the EU's role with regard to preserving resources and sustainable management of fisheries on the international stage; takes the view, however, that the EU-Vietnam FTA encourages Vietnam to step up its efforts to quickly establish a regulatory and supervisory framework to effectively tackle IUU fishing;

Amendment 55 #

Martin HORWOOD, Ilhan KYUCHYUK, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Irina VON WIESE, Urmas PAET

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 a (new)

7 a. Calls on the Commission and External Action Service to formally report to the European Parliament prior to the consent vote on the FTA regarding the commitment of Vietnam to make progress on a series of human rights issues, including the release of those who are being held solely for expressing peaceful dissent, the revision of the Criminal Code and the Law on Cyber Security and the Law on Belief and Religion to bring them in compliance with international human rights standards, the recognition of independent labour unions and the ratification of ILO conventions No 87 and 105, since respect for human rights and freedoms in conformity with Vietnam’s commitments under the PCA are essential in view of the ratification of the EU- Vietnam Free Trade Agreement;

Amendment 55 #

Pietro BARTOLO, Manuel PIZARRO, Richard CORBETT, Predrag Fred MATIĆ, Giuseppe FERRANDINO, Ivo HRISTOV, Isabel CARVALHAIS, Carmen AVRAM

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 a (new)

6a. Calls on the European Commission to provide specific financial and technical support to Vietnam in order to facilitate the implementation of environmental sustainability standards for seafood products. Moreover, calls on the European Commission to also incentivize individual Vietnamese fisheries to help meet sustainability standards

Amendment 56 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 a (new)

7 a. Points out that civil society in Viet Nam is not allowed to operate freely and unrestricted from state interference, as restrictions on freedom of expression, assembly and association in Viet Nam continue to persist; calls, in this regard, on the Commission to ensure that civil society groups, especially those which will be part of the Domestic Advisory Groups, will be allowed to operate independently, impartially, thoroughly, and safely from any repercussions;

Amendment 56 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 a (new)

6a. emphasises the importance of policy coherence of Union initiatives, in particular with regard to trade and environmental activities;

Amendment 57 #

Raphaël GLUCKSMANN, Maria NOICHL, Maria ARENA, Bettina VOLLATH, Jytte GUTELAND, Isabel SANTOS, Andrea COZZOLINO, Nacho SÁNCHEZ AMOR

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 a (new)

7 a. calls for closer interaction with the European Parliament in preparation for the annual Human Rights Dialogues, debriefings and in updating of the EU Human Rights Country Strategy for Vietnam;

Amendment 57 #

Martin HORWOOD, Ilhan KYUCHYUK, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Irina VON WIESE

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 b (new)

6b. Underlines the importance of a responsible trade policy as an instrument for the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals;

Amendment 58 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 b (new)

7 b. Strongly believe that improvement of the rule of law, good governance, sustainable development and the respect of human rights in Viet Nam are necessary; calls therefore on Parliament to give its consent to the agreement only when they deem that these recommendations, in particular the release of all political prisoners, the revision of the penal code, freedom of speech, association, assembly, movement and freedom of information are legally and effectively protected;

Amendment 58 #

Giuseppe FERRANDINO, Clara AGUILERA, Manuel PIZARRO, Ivo HRISTOV, Isabel CARVALHAIS, Nicolás GONZÁLEZ CASARES

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 a (new)

6a. Appreciates that ASEAN Member States are starting to increase region-wide cooperation on fisheries management;

Amendment 59 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 b (new)

7 b. Underlines the need for the European Parliament to closely follow and monitor the implementation of all parts of the FTA; calls therefore on the HRVP to regularly update the European Parliament on the human rights developments on the ground, including in relation to high level meetings she may hold and Human Rights Dialogues with the country;

Amendment 59 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7

7. ~~Calls on the Commission~~Expresses strong concerns about the EU signing a FTA with Vietnam considering the country has not yet effectively tackled and implemented tools to fight IUU fishing, a necessary precondition to achieve sustainable fisheries. Calls on the Commission to suspend preferential tariffs on fisheries products until the yellow card' has been lifted, while continuing to carry out IUU audits and to make use of all the tools ats its disposal, including the ‘"red card’", should Viet Nnam fail to fulfil the conditions for sustainable fisheries.

Amendment 6 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2

2. Underlines the strategic importance of Viet Nam as a crucial partner of the EU in South East Asia and among the ASEAN countries, specifically but not exclusively in relation to climate change negotiations, good governance, sustainable development, security, economic and social progress and the fight against terrorism; notes that Viet Nam is the Chair of ASEAN in 2020;

Amendment 6 #

Draft opinion
Recital A a (new)

Aa. whereas it is recognized that illegal, unregulated and unreported (IUU) fishing constitutes an organised crime of the seas with disastrous worldwide environmental and socio-economic impacts;

Amendment 60 #

Raphaël GLUCKSMANN, Maria NOICHL, Maria ARENA, Bettina VOLLATH, Isabel SANTOS, Andrea COZZOLINO, Nacho SÁNCHEZ AMOR

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 b (new)

7 b. Calls therefore the EP to give its consent to the agreements only when these recommendations, are legally and effectively protected;

Amendment 60 #

Pietro BARTOLO, Clara AGUILERA, Manuel PIZARRO, Richard CORBETT, Predrag Fred MATIĆ, Giuseppe FERRANDINO, Ivo HRISTOV, Isabel CARVALHAIS, Carmen AVRAM, Nicolás GONZÁLEZ CASARES

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7

7. Calls on the Commission to make full use of all the tools at its disposal, including the ‘red card’, should Viet Nam fail to fulfil the conditions for sustainable fisheries. in order to ensure the safety of imports of fish and seafood products into the EU market and to protect its consumers.

Amendment 61 #

Ivo HRISTOV, Nicolás GONZÁLEZ CASARES, Manuel PIZARRO, Isabel CARVALHAIS, Clara AGUILERA

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 c (new)

7 c. Believes that the ratification of the FTA between the EU and Vietnam should only take place when the Vietnamese authorities express its commitment, including a clear timeline, to review its Criminal Code and the Law on Cyber Security in conformity with international human rights standards, the recognition of independent labour unions and the ratification of ILO conventions No 87 and 105;

Amendment 61 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 a (new)

7a. expresses its disappointment by the provisions of Article 12.26, paragraph 2 of the EVTA, which in principles does not allow the addition of a product to the list of GIs, which are to be protected on the territory of the respective party, if the product has not been included in this list but has had the status "Registered" on the date of the signing of the agreement; calls on the Commission to reconsider this practice in future FTAs, as it affects the market opportunities for newly or recently GIs vis-à-vis, which will also be the case of the EU-Viet Nam FTA.

Amendment 62 #

Giuseppe FERRANDINO, Clara AGUILERA, Manuel PIZARRO, Ivo HRISTOV, Isabel CARVALHAIS, Nicolás GONZÁLEZ CASARES

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 a (new)

7a. Encourages the Vietnamese authorities to step up awareness campaigns and capacity building initiatives to discourage the inappropriate use of antibiotics in aquaculture and prevent the insurgence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR).

Amendment 63 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 a (new)

7a. Calls for continuous monitoring of Vietnam's efforts to ensure the country keeps making progress in combatting IUU fishing and in fulfilling its export potential.

Amendment 64 #

Martin HORWOOD, Ilhan KYUCHYUK, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Irina VON WIESE, Urmas PAET

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 b (new)

7b. 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 Vietnam in complying with European standards on environment, human rights, good governance, labour rights, and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR); welcomes in this context the commitment of Vietnam to present its national implementation plan for complying with the provisions of the EVFTA;

Amendment 7 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2

2. Underlines the strategic importance of Viet Nam as a crucial partner of the EU in South East Asia and among the ASEAN countries, specifically but not exclusively in relation to climate change negotiations, good governance, sustainable development, economic and social progress and the fight against terrorism and the advancement of human rights and democratic reform;

Amendment 7 #

Draft opinion
Recital A a (new)

Aa. whereas IUU fishing jeopardises the sustainability of fisheries resources and creates unfair competition for the European fisheries sector;

Amendment 8 #

Giuseppe FERRANDINO, Clara AGUILERA, Manuel PIZARRO, Ivo HRISTOV, Isabel CARVALHAIS, Nicolás GONZÁLEZ CASARES

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)

2 a. Welcomes the Agreement between the EU and the Government of Viet Nam establishing a framework for the participation of Viet Nam in the EU crisis management operations, which was signed on 17 October 2019; underlines that Viet Nam becomes the second partner country in Asia to sign a Framework Participation Agreement with the EU; stresses that the Agreement is a significant step forward in the relations between the EU and Viet Nam;

Amendment 8 #

Draft opinion
Recital A a (new)

A a. Whereas Viet Nam is the world's forth producer of aquaculture products;

Amendment 9 #