The early completion of the FTA will bring practical benefits to both sides, Dung said while reaffirming that Vietnam is doing its utmost to reach this goal.
The Vietnamese leader suggested the EU recognize Vietnam as a full market economy as soon as possible.
De Gucht said he was satisfied with the outcome of the previous FTA talks and stated that the EU is working closely with Vietnam to complete negotiations soon.
The EU is the second largest trade partner and the biggest export market of Vietnam.
The bloc’s businesses have primarily been involved in the manufacturing, construction and services sectors in Vietnam
As of November 2013, two-way trade between Vietnam and the EU reached more than US$30 billion, up 17.35 percent from the same period of a year earlier. Vietnam’s key EU exports are footwear, garments and textiles, coffee, wood products and seafood.
