(VOVworld) – Vietnam and the EU on Tuesday kicked off their 4^th round of Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations, focusing on goods, services, investment, and government procurement.

Cashew nuts go under processing for exports. (Photo: VNA)

The 4-day negotiation in Brussels will also discuss the protection of intellectual property rights and general provisions on trade in goods. Luong Hoang Thai, a senior Vietnamese official of the Ministry of Trade and Industry, told reporters that this will be the first substantive round to open the markets following 3 negotiations to clarify each side’s interests and outline the agreement’s major content. Thai added that both sides expect the 4^th round to form a cornerstone for a complete pact.