Three newly funded European Union (EU) projects, worth 3 million EURO, were officially launched on February 18, aiming to support Vietnam and other neighbouring countries in combating illegal logging and to promote trade in legal timber and timber products, as well as to improve the sustainable use of forests in Vietnam. These projects will be implemented by European and Vietnamese Civil Society Organisations.
Vietnam officially entered into the EU Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade negotiations with the EU in May 2010. To date, three negotiation rounds have been taken place. As part of the negotiation process, technical sessions, stakeholder consultations and technical support are being conducted with the aim to conclude negotiations for an EU-Vietnam Voluntary Partnership Agreement (VPA) by the end of 2014.
The Voluntary Partnership Agreement between Vietnam and the EU will provide a legal framework and compliance monitoring system aimed at ensuring that all timber imports into the EU from Vietnam have been legally acquired, harvested, transported and exported. Consequently, this will strengthen the institutional reform process in the forestry sector, its law enforcement and enhance the national image and trademark of Vietnam’s timber industry.
Giang Tu
EU Supports Vietnam with Funding to Combat Illegal Timber Logging Related image(s)
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