Congo and the European Union (EU) will sign an agreement on the enforcement of forest regulations, governance and trade exchanges (FLEGT) on 19 May, a source close to the Congolese Forest Resources ministry told the African Press Agency (APA).
The fourth session of negotiation session on this voluntary partnership agreement (VPA) was expected to open on Tuesday in Brazzaville, under the supervision of the Congolese Forest Resources minister, Henri Djombo and a representative of the EU Commission, Philip Mikoss.
Launched in June 2008, on the Congolese government’s request, the second and third negotiation sessions were held in Brussels, in November 2008 and February 2009, respectively.
The VPA is meant to fight against illegal lumbering, in line with the FLEGT process which is considered as the EU response to the global concern over the illegal forest harvesting and related trade.
“After the signing of VPA, only the timber harvested in line with the forest rules and regulations shall be allowed within the EU zone”, according to the press release by the Congolese Forest Resources ministry.
Source African Press Agency
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