EU Finances Sustainable Forest Exploitation

The European Union (EU) has agreed to provide EUR3 million to help Vietnam and neighbouring countries fight illegal logging and promote a sustainable forest initiative. At the launch ceremony for three EU-funded projects on February 18, Franz Jessen, ambassador and head of the EU delegation to Vietnam, noted the three projects will help non-governmental organizations and small-and medium-sized enterprises take part in negotiations and implement the Voluntary Partnership Agreement (VPA) of the EU Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade (FLEGT). He said the EU Timber Regulation took effect as of March 3, 2013, and together with VPA, it forms the core of FLEGT – an initiative of which Vietnam is a pioneer partner in Asia. Vietnam and the EU have conducted three rounds of FLEGT negotiations since their first in May 2010. They are currently working on technical assistance and consultations, aiming to conclude Vietnam-EU VPA negotiations later this year. The agreement will provide a legal framework and monitoring system on timber imported into the EU. It will help promote the brand of the Vietnamese wood industry and ensure that wood and timber products imported from Vietnam will gain a firm foothold in the EU market and others. (vov.vn Feb 18)