[{"bbox": [96, 152, 1134, 234], "category": "Text", "text": "ratification ongoing), the Framework Participation Agreement (FPA) and the Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade Voluntary Partnership Agreement (FLEGT-VPA). These are the **cornerstones of the EU's relationship with Vietnam**, offering an opportunity for enhanced engagement in a number of strategic areas."}, {"bbox": [96, 244, 1134, 379], "category": "Text", "text": "The Communist Party of Vietnam maintains its strong grip on power through a combination of economic development, stringent legislation, direct influence over the military and internal security apparatus, and tight control of media and mechanisms to **keep civil society in check**. The effective participation of civil society - including social partners and the private sector - in policy-making processes, is limited due to increasing administrative controls and restrictions in civil society operations."}, {"bbox": [96, 389, 1134, 524], "category": "Text", "text": "On the international scene, Vietnam wants **to be seen as a reliable partner** by promoting the rule of law and multilateral rules-based order when it is in its interest. Against the backdrop of a US-China rivalry, the country is trying to diversify its relations, and engagement with the EU (including in the ASEAN context) which is generally welcomed. The country also wishes to be supported on the South China Sea territorial dispute with China and wants to limit reputational damage linked to its “neutral” stance regarding Russia’s war against Ukraine."}, {"bbox": [96, 533, 1134, 618], "category": "Text", "text": "The EU launched its **new Indo-Pacific² and Global Gateway³ Strategies** in a context of accelerating geopolitical and geostrategic shifts in the region. Vietnam is a key country for the Indo-Pacific Strategy and has been identified as one of 16 key countries by the EEAS for increased EU strategic engagement."}, {"bbox": [96, 628, 1134, 843], "category": "Text", "text": "The **EU's Global Gateway strategy**, following the **Team Europe** approach, should guarantee the principles of “Democratic values and high standards” and “Good Governance and Transparency”, as well as promote an investment friendly environment in Vietnam. Moreover, essential features of Global Gateway such as “green and clean” “connectivity”, “network people to people”, “digital transformation”, “EU values and principles” are embedded in the MIP and its implementation (AAPs). This Action focuses on the Global Gateway priorities of “Climate Change and Energy”, and also partly to “Digitalisation”. The Action will contribute to TEI1 (Climate-resilient, low-carbon circular economy). Digital technologies will be used to promote sustainable forest-based and/or agriculture value chains linked to deforestation and enhancing private sector capacities."}, {"bbox": [96, 853, 1134, 1095], "category": "Text", "text": "The **EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA)** entered into force on 1 August 2020. In 2021, EU imports amounted to EUR 38.5 billion and EU exports to EUR 10.6 billion after the contraction in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The policy reforms under the EVFTA, including fulfilment of environmental and labour related commitments, allows for an intense dialogue between the EU, its Member States (MS) and Vietnam. However, progress in these key areas is so far still limited. Overall, Vietnam is keen on boosting its cooperation with the EU on the implementation of the Trade and Sustainable Development (TSD) chapter, and a stronger engagement from both sides could achieve a transformational impact. The principles under the TSD chapter of the EVFTA offer an unprecedented opportunity for the Union and its Member States to engage in an enhanced policy dialogue and to support domestic policy reforms."}, {"bbox": [96, 1117, 1134, 1253], "category": "Text", "text": "Vietnam has signed the **Voluntary Partnership Agreement (VPA)** on Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade (FLEGT) with the EU and is now in the process of implementing it. The **Vietnam Timber Legality and Assurance System (VNTLAS)** is the core part of the VPA in ensuring good governance and adherence to agreed environmental and social standards amongst the operators. The implementation of the VPA and EVFTA, is expected to boost the **responsible trade of wood industry products** over time."}, {"bbox": [96, 1275, 1134, 1463], "category": "Text", "text": "Vietnam is committed to international agreements that provide further direction: The country is a signatory in **Paris Agreement on Climate Change** that was adopted in COP 21 and ratified in 2016. The focus of the Paris Agreement is on the development of a **Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC)** for each country and updating the NDC every five years. The latest update for Vietnam done in 2022 (NDC 2022), sets the LULUCF net emission target with the Conditional Contribution at (-)46.6 million tCO2e by 2030, a considerable improvement from the (-)21.2 tCO2e in 2020. Meeting the ambitious and challenging target will depend heavily on the **ability to end deforestation and degradation and on restoration of natural forests**."}, {"bbox": [96, 1485, 1134, 1568], "category": "Text", "text": "At COP 26, Vietnam committed to accelerating the implementation of the **National Strategy on Climate Change to 2050** and the **National Green Growth Strategy 2021-2030, with vision to 2050**, to proactively adapt to climate change and reduce greenhouse gas emissions aiming at net zero emissions by 2050. Vietnam adopted the **Glasgow**"}, {"bbox": [85, 1596, 749, 1622], "category": "Footnote", "text": "² EU Strategy for Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, JOIN(2021) 24 of 16.9.2021."}, {"bbox": [85, 1621, 593, 1646], "category": "Footnote", "text": "³ EU Global Gateway Strategy, JOIN(2021) 30 of 1.12.2021."}, {"bbox": [1038, 1682, 1143, 1706], "category": "Page-footer", "text": "Page 5 of 27"}]