Socialist Republic of Vietnam

Vietnam and the European Union managed to reach an agreement paving the way for Vietnam’s entry to the WTO thanks to its negotiators’ hard work during five days of intense talks, said observers.

Negotiations between Vietnam and the European Union began Oct. 5 and were scheduled to wrap up late Oct. 8. From the first day, both sides’ negotiators spent days and nights at the headquarters of the Ministry of Trade in Hanoi hammering out a final agreement.

But until 9 a.m. on Oct. 9, it was unknown exactly how the 10th round of talks between the two sides would conclude until the news slipped out early from European Commission Chief Romano Prodi at 12 p.m. on Oct. 9 during a news conference concluding the fifth Asia-Europe Meeting in Hanoi.

Many reporters were surprised and in disbelief to hear Mr. Prodi’s announcement.

“Believe me. I am the EC chief. I got the news,” Mr. Prodi reassured to reporters.

Vietnamese Trade Minister Truong Dinh Tuyen and other high-ranking leaders kept a close eye on the progress of negotiations during the past five days.

The trade minister, who observed two days of talks, said he could not sleep until an agreement was reached. “I have not slept in the past 48 hours,” said Mr. Tuyen at the news conference held at 2 p.m. Oct. 9 officially announcing the talks’ results.

Mr. Tuyen was also so stressed and tired from the negotiations that at times, he would excuse himself to have a cigarette. “If I do not smoke now, I will collapse on the table due to sleepiness,” he said.

EU Trade Commissioner Pascal Lamy also attended the talks for two days.

On Oct. 8, five members of the EU delegation had only 30 minutes to quickly have their lunches at the Metropole Hotel before rushing back to the negotiation table, said Thanh Nien reporters.

But, the hard work from both sides paid off. Speaking at the news conference, Mr. Lamy said: “Vietnam has always described itself as an inferior country, but the negotiation skills of the Vietnamese delegates are worth admiring. However, this is not a surprise to people who know and understand Vietnam’s history and success in negotiations.”

Reported by Xuan Danh - Translated by T.H.
Story from Thanh Nien News
Published: 10 October, 2004, 22:23:57 (GMT+7)
Copyright Thanh Nien News