EFTA, Vietnam step up FTA negotiations at 19th round of talks

EFTA comprises Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein.

At a bilateral meeting with Switzerland on February 25, the two sides discussed key outstanding issues. They acknowledged significant progress across core areas, including trade in goods, services and investment, intellectual property, sustainable development, and government procurement.

Both sides agreed not to introduce new issues into the negotiations to accelerate the process, and to focus on flexibly resolving remaining differences, a Vietnamese news agency reported.

They are now intensifying legal reviews and finalising remaining procedures to conclude talks and potentially signing the agreement at the upcoming EFTA Ministerial Conference in Iceland this June.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)