Paraguay and Vietnam formally signed an agreement in Geneva ending bilateral negotiations on Vietnam's accession to the World Trade Organisation (WTO) on Tuesday.

The agreement was inked by Ngo Quang Xuan, head of the Vietnamese delegation to the United Nations and Rigoberto Guato Vielman, head of the Paraguayan delegation to the WTO.

In his meeting with Vietnam's delegation in Geneva, Rigoberto expressed his hope that Vietnam would conclude bilateral negotiations with the remaining WTO members so as to become a full member of the WTO soon.

Ngo Quang Xuan said the conclusion of this agreement would further speed and wrap up bilateral talks with the remaining trade partners.

Following Paraguay, Vietnam will continue its bilateral negotiations with four other countries, the Dominican Republic, Honduras, Mexico and the US.

Up to now, Vietnam has wrapped up bilateral negotiations with 21 partners.

Besides Paraguay, these include Argentina, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, China, Taiwan, Colombia, Cuba, the EU, El Salvador, South Korea, Norway, Singapore and Switzerland.

(Source: Viet Nam News)

Ambassador Ngo Quang Xuan.

According to Ambassador Ngo Quang Xuan, Head of a Vietnamese Delegation in Geneva, the US shows goodwill and also raises many questions that hold Vietnam to the standards of a developed country. 

Bilateral negotiations with the US on WTO membership for Vietnam have yet to be concluded. What do you think about the US’ attitude in this issue? 

I think there is confirmation from American leaders that they highly support Vietnam’s negotiation and accession to the WTO. They always show support as well as goodwill in the negotiation process with Vietnam. 

On the occasion of Prime Minister Phan Van Khai’s to the US in July, President George Bush also reconfirmed this, considering it important and assisting the two sides in solve remaining issues. 

However, public opinion inside and outside Vietnam holds that the US is the most difficult partner in WTO negotiations. I think this is normal and understandable. They probably see Vietnam’s great potential and see it as a competitor. 

That’s why they want to clarify many issues, especially those associated with the comprehensive trade policy, before Vietnam becomes a member. 

What is the biggest problem in negotiation with the US? 

The US is interested in negotiation on goods and services, and they raised a lot of questions. At multilateral negotiation rounds, they are the partner that raises the highest number of questions on Vietnam. It is the same for bilateral rounds. 

In my opinion, a transforming economy like Vietnam has some sensitive aspects. Trade rights are an example. The US pays special attention to this issue, particularly those related to State-owned enterprises. Whenever we meet, we explain that if they raise the demands too high, Vietnam can’t immediately meet them and would need time. 

There are many other complicated issues in bilateral negotiations. But I think the difference between the two sides in level of development, legal systems, and integration into the international market cause difficulties. The US is assisting Vietnam at a high level, but they also raise high demands. 

It’s difficult to open the whole market to all WTO member countries. Vietnam would have to be a highly- developed country to satisfy all US demands. I think negotiators on both sides need to understand each other and the US should have more sympathy toward Vietnam. 

When will the next meeting be? 

The two sides plan to meet in October. At the recent 10^th multilateral negotiation round in Geneva, the chairman of the Working Group on Vietnam’s WTO Accession said that no date was set. He also asked all other countries that have issues with Vietnam to bring them up with negotiators to speed the process of accession. 

Some analysts have said that the remaining partners are waiting for negotiation between the US and Vietnam to end before they conclude. What is your opinion? 

That’s right, and wrong. So far Vietnam has completed negotiations with 21 partners. The remaining partners only have problems with some bilateral issues. Of course, if we finish negotiations with the US, it will be more easy to deal with other issues with the rest if the partners. 

Since submitting its application to join the WTO in January 1995, Vietnam has had 10 official sessions and one plenary session with the Working Group on Vietnam’s Accession to WTO. The country has concluded bilateral negotiations with 21 partners. The six remaining are Australia, Honduras, the Dominican Republic, Mexico, New Zealand and the US. 

(Source: VNE)

Vietnam and Iceland have initialled an agreement concluding their bilateral negotiations for Vietnam to join the World Trade Organisation (WTO), according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The agreement was initialled by Ngo Quang Xuan, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the United Nations, and Anna Johonnsdottier, Representative of Iceland to the WTO.

The two sides will finalise procedures for signing an official agreement soon.

After the signing ceremony, Anna Johonnsdottier said it was an honour for her to initial the agreement on behalf of the Government of Iceland and that she hoped Vietnam will quickly conclude its negotiating process for WTO entry.

Ambassador Xuan said the event will help accelerate and quickly end Vietnam 's negotiation process with other partners as well as boost friendly and cooperative ties between Vietnam and Iceland .

(Source: VNA)

The tenth round of negotiations on Vietnam’s accession to the World Trade Organisation (WTO) to take place at WTO headquarter Geneva, September 15 

Ngo Quang Xuan, Vietnamese Ambassador to the United Nations in Geneva, told ‘Tuoi Tre’ that this round of negotiation will concentrate on trade policy, rights, and quotas, and taxation policy after Vietnam joins WTO. 

According to Mr Xuan, the negotiation process has run smoothly thus far, with bilateral negotiations with Norway, Iceland and Switzerland recently.

(Source: Tuoi Tre)

VietNamNet – Deputy General Director of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), Rufus Yerxa, will start his four-day visit to Vietnam today, April 5, in a trip meant to accelerate negotiations for the country to join the trade organisation.

WTO Deputy General Director Rufus Yerxa.

Mr Yerxa will meet with Deputy Prime Minister Vu Khoan, who is also Chairman of the National Committee for International Economic Cooperation.

 

However, the visit’s key meeting will be with Trade Minister Truong Dinh Tuyen on April 6, since the Trade Ministry is the body directly conducting the negotiations for Vietnam ’s WTO accession.

 

Mr Yerxa will also talk with the American Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam (Amcham).

 

So far Vietnam has been involved in seven rounds of negotiations and is preparing for the eighth, which is expected to take place in Geneva this May. In the seven round, other countries working in Vietnam praised its progress and potential.

 

“ Vietnam has started to leap,” said Seung Ho, Chairman of the working group on Vietnam ’s WTO accession.

 

According to Ngo Quang Xuan, Vietnamese Ambassador to the WTO, Vietnam answered nearly 2,000 questions raised during the first seven rounds.

 

The country has also experienced seven rounds of bilateral negotiations with the European Union (EU) and four with Japan .

 

“ Vietnam still has many things to do” to enter the WTO, warned Mr Seung Ho. One of the issues that must be resolved is its agreement with major partners about the reduction of tariffs and its adjustment, supplement and issuance of more than 300 laws under WTO rules and principles.

 

According to an expert on international trade, Mr Yerxa’s talks with high-ranking Vietnamese officials will further the negotiation process and help Vietnam define a deadline for WTO accession.

 

Viet Lam

VietNamNet - Vietnam has a fair chance to become a WTO member in December 2005, said Ho Seung, Chairman of the Working Party on the WTO Accession of Vietnam, in an exclusive interview with VietNamNet.

Chairman of the Working Party on the WTO Accession of Vietnam Ho Seung.

Is Vietnam fully prepared for the negotiations in Geneva next week?

I've met with Deputy Prime Minister Vu Khoan and Deputy Trade Minister Luong Van Tu, the chief negotiator. We discussed strategic matters to build up the Working Party session. The Vietnamese Government has so far shown very clearly what they can do to become a WTO member. Despite domestic difficulties, the Vietnamese delegation has tried to accommodate WTO member requests.

Firstly, Vietnam is trying to improve the offers in goods and service. We have also amended laws to comply with WTO requirements. Surely, there are a number of difficult and controversial subjects to be resolved, but my impression is that Vietnam is making great efforts.

So how far has Vietnam come in the accession process?

In bilateral forums, Vietnam has reached agreements with the European Union (EU) and several other countries. I think the agreement with the EU is the most important milestone in achievement. It will be a good basis for advancement.

Yet, there still remain negotiations with other member states, including the US , China , and Japan . Recently, Vietnam held talks with Japan in Hanoi . Also, Vietnam 's negotiators held negotiations with US counterparts last November. There were positive results although negotiations with these countries are not concluded yet.

On multilateral basis, there still remain a number of member requests, including improvement of offers and concessions on goods and services. Besides which they want Vietnam to make changes to its legal system to comply with WTO regulations. Perhaps, Vietnam must amend or set new laws. To my knowledge, during the recent session, the National Assembly has passed a number of new laws. This will put good effects on the working party's members. However, Vietnam must improve transparency in the legal system and in governance over foreign trade.

What I can say now is Vietnam is on the right and good track to becoming a WTO member. There is a fair chance we may enter the WTO at the Ministerial Meeting in Hong Kong next December.

You mean that Vietnam could accede in December 2005?

What I mean is that there is a good chance negotiations will be concluded and membership gained by the time. I sincerely hope so. I also understand such will from the government and the negotiation group. They have worked together, defined a clear roadmap of steps that need to take to achieve their goal. The government and negotiators are dealing with a challenging situation.

How significance are the upcoming Geneva negotiations to Vietnam 's accession?

In these upcoming talks, we will discuss the first edition of the draft report. It is an important process in the accession process. The draft report includes elements such as what Vietnam must do prior to accession, and what Vietnam will do in the transition period.

We are going to discuss the domestic legal system, barrier regimes, export licensing, and the dual price system. It will take a number of negotiation rounds to finish discussion on the draft report. Then all parties will discuss protocol. If the Working Party Group agrees to the proposals, they will be forwarded to the WTO Secretariat.

What are the biggest challenges for the next round?

The foremost problem Vietnam needs to solve is the passage of provisional laws relating to international trade. Member states continually request that candidates pass provisional laws to facilitate foreign trade. Besides, a number of countries such as the US , Australia , Canada , and Japan have expressed concerns over financial and automotive markets in Vietnam .

While deals have been finalised with several other WTO members, why are negotiations with countries like the US and Japan still so troubled?

I hope that the US delegation will be more flexible and offer better terms in Geneva . But two positive signs should be taken into account. The US conceded several difficult points in the first edition of the draft report. At the last meeting in June, they also agreed to draft the first edition report, which is to be released before the Geneva meeting. This is backed by their acceptance to a second meeting in Geneva , after the June meeting.

Two rounds of talks within a year is a good sign. I will meet the US delegation when I go to Geneva . We'll talk on the challenges and problems that Vietnam faces. As the Chairman of the Working Party, I'll explain these issues to facilitate better understanding.

Then with Japan , I feel optimistic that negotiations will be finalised before the end of this year, or early January 2005 at latest.

OXFAM have forecast negative membership implications for farmers. What can Vietnam do to protect its farmers under the WTO?
 

Vietnam will certainly face difficulties in opening up its agricultural produce markets to foreign interests. Around 80% of Vietnam ’s population are farmers, so the agricultural sector is an important and sensitive area.
 

Fortunately, Vietnam will be entitled to claim a certain transition period to adapt to the competitive situation. Cotton and rice are competitive products, but sugar for example is weak. It is important that negotiators to take these weaker sectors into consideration.

That's why I emphasise utilisation of the transition period to ensure sectors are strong enough to endure competition with foreign groups. There will be five, seven or even 10 years of grace for transition - long enough to adjust these sectors for survival.

Interview by Viet Lam

VietNamNet – Vietnam has concluded negotiations with six members of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and is looking to wrap up more this month, Deputy Trade Minister Luong Van Tu revealed.

So far, negotiations have been finalised with six WTO members, including the European Union (EU), Cuba, Argentina, Brazil, Chile and Singapore.

The negotiation itinerary for Vietnam’s WTO bid is gathering speed, said Mr Tu, who heads the group of accession negotiators, at a meeting to review the multilateral trade policy assistance project (MUTRAP) on November 30 in Hanoi.

 

So far, negotiations have been finalised with six WTO members, including the European Union (EU), Cuba, Argentina, Brazil, Chile and Singapore.

 

“This success creates firm foundations for following negotiations with other WTO members. Moreover, it will also be a driving-force to boost the WTO accession process,” said Dr Dietrich Barth, an EU expert.

 

A milestone in the negotiation process was finishing negotiations with the EU, which is one of Vietnams most important trade partners. Last week, Vietnam also completed negotiations with Singapore, the biggest foreign investor in Vietnam.

 

The ninth round of negotiation is scheduled to take place in mid-December. It could prove a break-through round, since it will turn discussion toward multilateral commitments, an important step for Vietnam’s membership bid.

 

A meeting of the Working Committee on WTO Accession of Vietnam will be held on December 15 in Geneva. Mr Tu was optimistic that Vietnam would complete bilateral negotiations with several more partners in this round.

 

MUTRAP is a joint initiative initiated in 1998 by the European Commission and the Vietnamese Government. The EU-funded technical assistance project assists Vietnam in both the WTO accession negotiation process and in economic integration into the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

 

Phuong Thanh