The National Assembly of Vietnam on November 28 passed a resolution ratifying the protocol on Vietnam's entry into the World Trade Organization (WTO) with a majority of votes in favor, State media reports.
The resolution requires the National Assembly and the Government to continue to examine and revise legal documents, issue new laws in line with its WTO commitments, and work out a detailed action plan to implement the commitments.
At the National Assembly session to consider the protocol, broadcast live, a report by Minister of Trade Truong Dinh Tuyen explained the results from the 11-year negotiations, impacts from WTO accession, the ratification of the protocol on joining WTO, and a number of related proposals.
Chairman of the NA Committee for External Relations Vu Mao said the commitments on common policies in WTO conform with the renewal and international integration policies of the Vietnamese Party and State, and with Vietnam's Constitution and law.
In regards to the farm produce subsidies policy, the National Assembly required the Government, based on WTO regulations and international rules, to distinguish between forms of subsidies which are allowed and not allowed and to clearly define agricultural development policies to ensure the benefits to farmers who account for a majority of the population.
The NA asked the Government to explain the mechanism taking special defensive measures in import and export of garment and textile products, analyze relations between this mechanism and the US mechanism monitoring imported garments and textiles, and to automatically file anti-dumping lawsuits which will serve as a basis for businesses to develop production and export plans.
The NA demanded the government have a roadmap for adjusting its subsidy policy towards abolishing non-agricultural product subsidies completely.
The NA also agreed to the govenremnt’s proposal to directly apply WTO commitments on intellectual property and urged the government to have timely measures preventing violations of intellectual property rights.
On the commitments to open the market for goods and services, the NA required the Government to properly deal with the relationship between domestic production protection and high-quality imports with low prices, while ensuring State budget revenues and if required, to revise the roadmap to increase the competitive edge of certain products.
The NA Standing Committee pointed out challenges and work to be done after the country joins the largest world trade body, including continual revision of laws in accordance with WTO commitments and ensuring a transparent law making process.
NA deputies analyzed opportunities and challenges created by WTO accession to the economy, the society and people. Many deputies demanded careful analysis of challenges and risks in the integration process in order to devise a long-term detailed plan to mitigate negative impacts on economic development, culture, and especially on social division, the gap between rich and poor, and unemployment.
On November 7 this year, Vietnamese Minister of Trade and WTO director officially signed a protocol for Vietnam’s WTO entry. Vietnam will officially become a WTO member 30 days after the NA adopts the protocol.
(Local sources)
Vietnamese
