South Korea, EU in final consultation on FTA: official

By Byun Duk-kun
WARSAW, July 8 (Yonhap) -- South Korea and the European Union are in the final
stage of concluding negotiations for a free trade agreement (FTA), while the EU
executive body is trying to win the approval of all members ahead of South Korean
President Lee Myung-bak's trip to Sweden, Seoul officials said Wednesday.
Sweden assumed the six-month rotating presidency of the EU at the beginning of
the month. Lee will arrive in Stockholm on Saturday for talks with Swedish Prime
Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt.
"We are in final consultations with the EU for the conclusion of negotiations on
the Korea-EU FTA," South Korean presidential spokeswoman Kim Eun-hye told
reporters. Kim is currently accompanying President Lee on his three-nation trip.
"The European Commission, the executive body of the EU, is in contact with member
nations to tap their final stance on the FTA," she added.
South Korea and the European Union have in effect completed their talks on the
FTA after eight rounds of negotiations, the last of which was held in March, but
they have been unable to make an official declaration amid opposition from
several EU member nations that are concerned about possible damage to their
economies.
"It is true that Poland, Italy and Hungary are not strongly supporting the
Korea-EU FTA," a South Korean official here said, asking not to be identified.
Officials in Seoul earlier said President Lee and the incumbent head of the
European Union, Prime Minister Reinfeldt, could make the official declaration
during Lee's trip to Sweden this week, but the official who spoke here said that
the possibility appeared to be slim because of the continued opposition by the
countries.
In an interview with the European television network EuroNews here on Tuesday,
the South Korean president said he hoped the agreement will be signed before the
end of next month.
"A few (European) countries have yet to express their full support for the FTA,
but there are continued efforts being made to persuade them and explain to them
the benefits of the FTA," spokeswoman Kim said.
"President Lee will also explain the positive aspects of the Korea-EU FTA and the
outcome of negotiations so far during his trip to Sweden," she added.
bdk@yna.co.kr
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