Vietnamese Ambassador to France Nguyen Thiep made the remarks during his opening speech at a seminar on enhancing Vietnam-French economic partnership through EVFTA held on Thursday in Paris.

Participants agreed that EVFTA contributes to modernize and simplify customs procedures and regulations on exchanging goods. The agreement has also brought about numerous preferences, such as tax reductions for automobile and wine manufacturers, while acknowledging geographical indication protection and high environmental standards. Thanks to its strategic position in Asia and Southeast Asia, Vietnam is an important gateway of French high quality products to a large market of 600 million consumers.

President of the France-Vietnam Friendship Parliamentarians' Group Catherine Deroche said that EVFTA will be ratified and come into effect in mid 2019 with the European Parliament’s guarantee. The deal will allow Vietnam and France to further develop their potential fields. She also pledged the France-Vietnam Friendship Parliamentarians' Group’s full support for the deal to soon be ratified.