Fighting against illegal timber exports: the European Union and the Republic of Congo sign partnership agreement. The European Union and the Republic of Congo have signed the Forest Law Enforcement Governance and Trade Voluntary Partnership Agreement. The agreement foresees that, starting in July 2011, all wood products entering the European Union from the Republic of Congo will be required to carry a licence showing that they contain wood and wood products from a legal origin. European consumers will be ensured that wood and wood products imported from the Republic of Congo are of legal origin.