The trade deal will help the EAEU expand trade and investment ties with Southeast Asia and the Asia-Pacific region, the article cited Viktor Khristenko, Chairman of the Board of the Eurasia Economic Commission. Meanwhile, Vietnam, an ASEAN member, will serve as a bridge linking the EAEU and the ASEAN, assisting the union in extending its affiliation with the ASEAN Community, a 600 million-strong market with a GDP of 2.5 trillion USD. Two-way trade is forecast to expand 18-20 percent each year to 10-12 billion USD in 2020, from 4 billion USD in 2014. Vietnam is finalizing and has completed free trade negotiations with a number of countries including the US, Japan, the EU, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the Republic of Korea.