Question: What is Vietnam’s reaction to the completion of the negotiation on Vietnam’s admission to the WTO?

Answer:

 We are very delighted that the multilateral negotiation on 26 October 2006 in Geneva, Switzerland approved all documents on Vietnam’s admission to the WTO, officially concluding negotiation to become a member of the WTO. This is the result of tireless efforts over the past years by the Vietnamese Government, relevant Ministries and government agencies as well as the negotiation team at the WTO. It demonstrates Vietnam’s determination to integrate its economy into the world and regional economies.

Vietnam highly appreciates the support from members of the Working Party, the head and staff of the WTO Secretariat, the Chairman of the Working Party - Ambassador Eirik Glenne during the entire negotiations.

A special meeting of the WTO’s General Council is scheduled to be held in early November 2006 to review and approve Vietnam’s admission to this organization. A Protocol on Vietnam’s accession into the WTO after being approved will be sent to the Vietnamese National Assembly for ratification scheduled for late November. As such, if nothing changes, Vietnam will officially become a WTO member by this year end.

In the preparation for WTO membership, Vietnam has carried out intensive reforms in accordance with international standards. In the coming time, Vietnam affirms that it will continue to actively and proactively integrate into the international economy, utilize the benefits given by its WTO status, and at the same time effectively resolve the challenges posed by the global economic integration.