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| At the signing ceremony (Photo: VNA) |
Vietnamese Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Nguyen Xuan Cuong,
Austrian Prime Minister Sebastian Kurz, and Vice President of the European
Commission Federica Mogherini inked the document.
The core of the deal is the Vietnam Timber Legality Assurance System (VNTLAS)
which ensures that wood and timber products of Vietnam in the EU have legal
origins.
The issuance of FLEGT licences is only applicable for the EU market, while the
VNTLAS will cover both domestic and export markets.
The FLEGT-VPA covers all exports to the EU, with five specific products defined
in the FLEGT Regulation of 2015 - logs, sawn timber, railway sleepers, plywood
and veneer - as well as a number of other timber products such as wood in chips
or particles, parquet flooring, particle board and wooden furniture.
Addressing the ceremony, Federica Mogherini said that the signing of the deal is
the start of an important partnership through which Vietnam and the EU will team
up in dealing with illegal logging and consequences of the activities.
She said that the EU welcomes Vietnam’s preparations for the implementation of
the FLEGT-VPA as well as progress in strengthening the control of imported wood.
However, it is necessary for the country to work harder as the control of legacy
of imported wood will play a significant role in fully conducting the FLEGT-VPA
and help ensure that wood and timber products that Vietnam ships to the EU has
legal origins.
Meanwhile, Minister Nguyen Xuan Cuong said that the trading of good and timber
products in a legal and sustainable manner is suitable to development goals and
efforts of Vietnam to protect the forest and minimise climate change.
Vietnam has strong and developing wood processing industry with an important
role in the world market, he said, adding that the business community and
non-governmental organisations of Vietnam support the FLEGT-VPA and engage in
the completion of the relevant legal systems.
In reality, FLEGT-VPA commitments have been included in the Vietnam Forestry Law
which will take effect on January 1, 2019. The law prohibits the import of
illegal timber to Vietnam.
Cuong also stated that Vietnam has prepared plans for the implementation of
FLEGT-VPA with the involvement of many parties.-VNA
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