(Consent)

The European Parliament,

–  having regard to the draft Council decision on the conclusion of the Voluntary Partnership Agreement between the European Union and the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam on forest law enforcement, governance and trade (10861/2018),

–  having regard to the draft Voluntary Partnership Agreement between the European Union and the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam on forest law enforcement, governance and trade (10877/2018),

–  having regard to the request for consent submitted by the Council in accordance with first subparagraphs of Article 207(3) and (4), in conjunction with point (a)(v) of the second subparagraph of Article 218(6) and Article 218(7) thereof, of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (C8‑0445/2018),

–  having regard to its non-legislative resolution of 12 March 2019(1) on the draft decision,

–  having regard to Rule 99(1) and (4), and Rule 108(7) of its Rules of Procedure,

–  having regard to the recommendation of the Committee on International Trade and the opinion of the Committee on Development (A8-0083/2019),

1.  Gives its consent to conclusion of the agreement;

2.  Instructs its President to forward its position to the Council, the Commission and the governments and parliaments of the Member States and of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam.

(1) Texts adopted of that date, P8_TA(2019)0141.