EC/Vietnam agreement: cooperation agreement

- OBJECTIVE: to establish a framework agreement on trade and cooperation between the European Community and Vietnam. - SUBSTANCE: the agreement, which is based on respect for human rights and democratic principles, covers the following areas of cooperation: . trade: granting most-favoured-nation treatment for products not covered by the generalised system of preferences in force and to which Vietnam has regular access; removal of non-tariff barriers whilst protecting security, public health and morals, and the environment; customs cooperation; encouraging investment; protecting intellectual, industrial and commercial property rights, including copyright (particularly computer software), trade marks, industrial designs and models, patents, layouts for integrated circuits, etc.; . the economy, in 3 main areas: access to Community know-how and technology, improving contacts between economic operators and enhancing mutual understanding of the respective economic, social and cultural environment; . science and technology: particularly with regard to standardization and quality control; . development: Community assistance for specific projects and programmes to help the poorer sections of the Vietnamese population and areas receiving returning citizens; measures to promote the development of social, economic and rural infastructures (including the promotion of employment, agriculture and the role of women); . regional cooperation: promoting inter-regional trade with other countries of south-east Asia, supporting regional projects and promoting regional communications; . environment: protecting natural forests and the urban environment, preventing industrial pollution and pollution of the air, soil and water, protecting the marine environment and promoting sustainable management of natural resources; . information and communication: particularly with regard to strengthening regional relations; . combatting drugs: training and information on drug abuse (including projects for the rehabilitation of addicts), drugs replacement measures and the exchange of all relevant bilateral information. The agreement establishes a joint committee comprising members of the Commission and representatives of the Member States and Vietnam, which is to meet every 2 years to set priority objectives among the possible actions provided for under the agreement and to ensure that the agreement is properly implemented. The agreement also includes a clause on future development. - DURATION OF THE AGREEMENT: the agreement is to run for an initial period of 5 years, and is then tacitly renewable. �