What Goals Did The EU Pursue In Its Good Governance In Vietnam Case Study

1. Goals
In order to work out the answer to the main research question, this chapter will respond to the following sub - questions pertaining to the goals strived for by the EU when it dealt with good governance in Vietnam:
1. What goals did the EU pursue in its good governance agenda in Vietnam during the period 2000 - 2013?
2. To what extent do these goals reflect the EU’s exercise of normative power?
As a matter of fact, there are a number of official documents reflecting the EU’s commitment to promote good governance in Vietnam. In the “EC – Vietnam Country Strategy Paper 2002 – 2006”, the EU asserted its willingness to support Vietnam in building good governance, which encompasses “more transparent and accountable civil service, transparent
However, due to the economic rise of this region, the EU issued a document entitled “Towards a New Asia Stratergy” to adjust to this new global context. This document highlighted the EU’s need to strengthen its economic and political presence in the region in order to sustain its leading role in the world economy, to protect its interest, and to raise its profile in Asia. The EU’s positive contribution to good governance promotion in the region was mentioned in this strategy as one of the ways for the EU to fulfill these objectives. Especially, it was stressed that “the Union's role is to pursue market - opening for both goods and services and to overcome obstacles to European trade and investment by encouraging a favourable regulatory environment for business in Asia”. To support the reform and growth of new markets and to assist Asian countries in poverty alleviation are “after all in the enlightened self - interest of the Union” because these will help increase their potential as future markets for European business. Vietnam was also referred herein as an important economy which needs to undergo institutional reforms with the EU’s assistance in order to strengthen bilateral economic
As such, the EU’s good governance agenda in Vietnam aimed to raise the EU’s profile and visibility to consolidate its status in this ASEAN nation. In addition, the EU tended to build a favorable business environment to facilitate its economic activities through the promotion of good governance in Vietnam. It was stated in the EU’s paper on Governance and Development that good governance, at all levels, is vital for “the creation of an attractive business environment, in which investment and trade can thrive”. The Partnership Cooperation Agreement (PCA) also indicates that the cooperation in public administration reform aims at increasing the mutual interest and supporting trade facilitation. Unlike the old EU – Vietnam Framework Cooperation Agreement signed in 1995, which does not include any clause about good governance in trade related matters, the new PCA puts strong emphasis on good governance in articles about cooperation on trade and investment. It was stressed in this new cooperation framework that both parties must commit to take all measures to increase transparency, especially in terms of law and regulations, in order to ensure “enhanced and predictable market access conditions”. As a matter of fact, the EU has considerable economic interests at stake in Vietnam as the EU and Vietnam are considered “complementary economy”.