ID :
191984
Thu, 06/30/2011 - 10:21
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/191984
The shortlink copeid
Korea, China, Japan to finalize joint study on FTA this year
SEOUL, June 30 (Yonhap) --South Korea, China and Japan have agreed to accelerate their moves to finalize their joint study on the feasibility of a free trade agreement among the three Northeast Asian countries by the end of the year, Seoul's trade ministry said Thursday.
During their fifth round of a joint study meeting held in Kitakyushu, Japan, on Monday and Tuesday, the three nations also reviewed drafts of commodities, services and investment, the ministry said.
In May, the leaders from the three nations agreed to conclude the joint study before the end of the year. In May of the previous year, the three nations launched the project with the aim of concluding it by the end of 2012.
The three nations will hold their sixth round of a joint study in China in September, the ministry said.
South Korean President Lee Myung-bak said earlier that Seoul needs to consider a free trade agreement with Beijing in order to keep up with other nations that have been adjusting to trade conditions stemming from China's rapid rise in the global economy.
Free trade talks between Seoul and Tokyo have been stalled since late 2004, mainly because of Japan's reluctance to lower tariffs on agricultural goods.
The two countries started preliminary talks to resume the stalled negotiations in June 2008 and have since met four times, including the latest meeting in December 2009.
During their fifth round of a joint study meeting held in Kitakyushu, Japan, on Monday and Tuesday, the three nations also reviewed drafts of commodities, services and investment, the ministry said.
In May, the leaders from the three nations agreed to conclude the joint study before the end of the year. In May of the previous year, the three nations launched the project with the aim of concluding it by the end of 2012.
The three nations will hold their sixth round of a joint study in China in September, the ministry said.
South Korean President Lee Myung-bak said earlier that Seoul needs to consider a free trade agreement with Beijing in order to keep up with other nations that have been adjusting to trade conditions stemming from China's rapid rise in the global economy.
Free trade talks between Seoul and Tokyo have been stalled since late 2004, mainly because of Japan's reluctance to lower tariffs on agricultural goods.
The two countries started preliminary talks to resume the stalled negotiations in June 2008 and have since met four times, including the latest meeting in December 2009.
