A3-0110/94

Resolution on the development of relations between the European Union and Vietnam

The European Parliament,

-having regard to the motion for a resolution tabled by Mr Tsimas on relations between the European Community and Vietnam (B3-0265/90),

-having regard to its resolution of 12 September 1991 on the situation in South-East Asia,

-having regard to its resolution of 12 June 1992 on economic and trade relations between the European Community and Indo-China,

-having regard to its resolution of 29 October 1993 on the European Community's economic and trade relations with Vietnam,

-having regard to its resolution of 19 November 1993 on the participation of the European Community in the International Programme for the reintegration of Vietnamese returnees,

-having regard to Rule 45 of its Rules of Procedure,

-having regard to the report of the Committee on Foreign Affairs and Security (A3-0110/94),

A.whereas Vietnam plays an essential role in the Indo-China peninsula and South-East Asia in general as a result of its history and the size and economic dynamism of its population,

B.having regard to the role of history in shaping the present situation of Vietnam and, in particular, to the influence which the Chinese threat has had for centuries on the political life of the nation,

C.whereas this threat is still very much alive in the minds of the Vietnamese people and continues to have a certain influence on Vietnam's diplomatic policies,

D.acknowledging also that the industrialized countries of Asia, America and Europe in various ways bear a share of the responsibility for the sufferings of the Vietnamese people,

E.having particular regard to the strong legacy of feeling about the United States left in the collective consciousness of the Vietnamese people by the war,

F.stressing that Vietnam has fought hard for its independence since 1945; whereas, however, not enough progress has yet been made towards democracy,

G.whereas, following the Paris agreements on Cambodia, Vietnam has opted for peaceful coexistence and its main concern now appears to be to modernize its economic system by introducing market economy mechanisms and becoming an integral part of the global economy,

H.whereas the European Union, to which Vietnam and other countries in that region are linked through cultural and historic ties, can help Vietnam to attain these two objectives; whereas the cooperation agreement which is due to be negotiated between the two parties shortly is specifically geared to this purpose,

I.welcoming the positive developments throughout the region since the restoration of peace in Cambodia; having regard in particular to the increased trade between the countries of South-East Asia and the economic liberalization measures in southern China,

J.welcoming the fact that the US government has decided to lift the embargo on Vietnam, despite internal political pressure to maintain it,

K.welcoming the agreement in principle that has now been reached between Vietnam and the International Monetary Fund and the process of resuming economic contacts with European Union Member States and undertakings,

L.whereas Vietnam is in a period of transition towards a market economy and is still far from undertaking the political reforms needed to create a climate for democracy, even if some - as yet only hesitant - progress can be discerned in this area,

M.aware at the same time that the transition towards a market economy inevitably brings with it social tensions which Vietnam must bring under control in order to avoid any nostalgic tendency which might pose a threat to what has been achieved so far, including the hesitant steps made towards democracy and religious toleration,

N.whereas all these factors must be taken into account in the development of relations between the European Union and Vietnam,

O.whereas one of the main objectives of the common foreign and security policy (CFSP) enshrined in the Treaty on European Union is 'to develop and consolidate democracy and the rule of law and respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms'; whereas any significant progress in this sphere by Vietnam would help to foster the development of relations with the European Union,

P.whereas, in this connection, certain administrative acts by the Vietnamese authorities constitute a threat to fundamental freedoms, run counter to the principles enshrined in the cooperation agreements with the European Union and weaken Vietnam's international position as a consequence,

Q.whereas the Asian seaboard of the Pacific is in danger of being dominated by one or more large countries; noting with satisfaction that Vietnam welcomes the involvement of other partners which may act as a counterweight to such power,

R.having regard to Vietnam's geostrategic importance in that it is a country situated near one of the busiest shipping routes in the world,

S.whereas, given the large regional economic groupings (NAFTA and APEC) which are emerging, it is clearly in the European Union's interests to have some influence in this region,

T.whereas Vietnam could provide precisely such a foothold; whereas its strategic position in South-East Asia would add a new dimension to the CFSP if the European Union managed to forge close links with it and with other countries in the region,

1.Urges the European Union, in the context of both the CFSP and its policy of economic cooperation with the Asian countries, to develop relations with Vietnam and rapidly conclude with it the current negotiations for a cooperation agreement as an initial stage in relations between the two parties;

2.Calls on the Commission to conclude this agreement as a matter of urgency, in view of the lifting of the US embargo on Vietnam and the new competition which will result therefrom;

3.Calls for this agreement to make explicit reference to the principles of the United Nations Charter and respect for human rights and democratic values;

4.Calls, as it has recommended on three occasions without any action being taken by the Commission, for a delegation to be set up immediately in Vietnam and for interparliamentary relations to be established between the European Parliament and the Vietnamese National Assembly;

5.Hopes that Vietnam will back up its programme of economic reform aimed at paving the way for a market economy with the necessary political reforms which will enable it to join the group of 'market democracies'; calls on the European Union and its Member States to support the Vietnamese Government's reform programme, laying emphasis on the need to continue with the changes in the sphere of human rights and civil liberties;

6.Points out that, in accordance with the guiding principles of the European Union, any economic development must be achieved within the framework of sustainable development, involving the health protection and social welfare of populations, respect for the environment, support for local markets and attempts to achieve self-sufficiency in food and energy; and therefore believes that the development cooperation programme must be extended to those areas;

7.Believes that economic development in Vietnam may have a knock-on effect on the economies of its neighbouring countries and that this would make it possible to set up a regional sub-grouping (Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia and the Philippines and Brunei) which could conceivably act as a counterweight to other dominant powers;

8.Calls, therefore, for Vietnam to become a member of ASEAN as soon as possible, thereby helping to create a climate of mutual trust and hence strengthen stability in the region;

9.Expresses its concern at the problems posed by the disputed waters around the Paracels and Spratly islands and the Gulf of Siam and calls on the parties concerned to make use of negotiation or arbitration rather than force as a means of settling these disputes;

10.Calls on the Council and the Commission to study the various aspects of the development of international relations in the Asian region and to report back to the European Parliament on ways of developing relations between the European Union and South-East Asia;

11.Calls for the fulfilment of all conditions which would enable the European Union to develop relations with all countries in the region without exception, including Indonesia;

12.Calls for particular attention to be focused on the development of exchange schemes with Vietnam including cultural exchanges, student exchanges, the training of managers in market economy techniques, cooperation in scientific and technical spheres and the study of the languages of the European Union Member States;

13.Welcomes the initial measures agreed on with European NGOs and urges the Vietnamese authorities to promote a climate in which there can be free dialogue in order to step up exchanges with a view to long-term cooperation of benefit to both sides;

14.Believes that the European Union, in conjunction with the Vietnamese authorities, which should draw up suitable legal arrangements to encourage foreign investment, must encourage undertakings to develop joint ventures in Vietnam in view of the importance of this market of nearly 70 million consumers which could then serve as a bridgehead for supplying other markets in South-East Asia, the Indian subcontinent and even China; confirms in this context its abovementioned resolution of 29 October 1993 on the European Community's economic relations with Vietnam;

15.Welcomes in this connection steps taken by Member States of the European Union to strengthen their relations with Vietnam; notes with interest the particular efforts being made by France to encourage a normalization of Vietnam's position vis-à-vis the IMF;

16.Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council and Commission and the Vietnamese Government.