EFTA, Vietnam Plan Free-Trade Pact Signing

The European Free Trade Association, comprising Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein, and Vietnam are set to sign a free trade agreement in Hanoi on Sunday after negotiations that began in 2012, resumed last year and concluded in July. The deal covers rules of origin, investment, intellectual property rights, competition, trade remedies and government procurement. Swiss Economy Minister Guy Parmelin is expected at the ceremony. Vietnam's Ministry of Public Security said three men—Norwegian citizen Nguyen Duc Thuan, Australian citizen Ho Pham Hiep Huy and Vietnamese national Thai Cong Truong Son—were arrested September 18 while illegally crossing from Cambodia and are members of Viet Tan, designated a terrorist organization by Vietnam. Viet Tan said the men were abducted in Cambodia. Cambodia's Ministry of Interior said it made no arrest and has no departure records. Human Rights Watch on Wednesday called for immediate release of the activists "who went missing in Cambodia." Dozens of international human rights organisations condemned the detention earlier in October. Norway's foreign ministry said State Secretary Astrid Bergmal "will raise the case of the detained Norwegian citizen with the Vietnamese authorities during her visit" and stated: "This matter is raising public concern in Norway. We hope that this case may be resolved without unnecessary delay." Norway has requested consular access.