It is difficult for Vietnam to enter the World Trade Organization (WTO) this December as the country hopes, partly because it has not enough time for making an agreement on the issue with the United States, US Ambassador to Vietnam Michael Marine said here Thursday.

"I see no prospect before December," he said at a press briefing, adding that Vietnam still has to do more things to eliminate gap in their negotiations.

The bilateral agreement must be approved by the US Congress before mid-November if Vietnam becomes WTO member this year. But, now it has not been signed, he noted, adding that they can "see improvements" in negotiation in 3-6 months.

Vietnam has concluded the 10th WTO multilateral negotiation round, and bilateral negotiations with 21 partners, including the European Union, China, Japan, South Korea and Switzerland.

Source: Xinhua