The bilateral negotiations between Norway and Vietnam in connection with Vietnam’s application for membership of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) have been concluded.

On Monday 19 September, Ambassador Eirik Glenne and Vice Minister of Trade Luong Van Tu signed a protocol between Norway and Vietnam on the latter’s accession to the WTO. The protocol provides for improved access for Norwegian goods and services to the Vietnamese market once the country has completed its accession process with the WTO member states.

Vietnam still has to complete bilateral negotiations with some other WTO members and finalise the multilateral process of the working party on the country’s accession to the WTO before it can become a member of the organisation.