S. Korea, EU closer to free trade deal

BRUSSELS, July 10 (Yonhap) -- South Korea and the European Union moved closer to
signing a bilateral free trade agreement (FTA) Friday, as the European Union's
Article 133 committee approved a final draft on the Korea-EU FTA submitted by the
European Commission, according to diplomatic sources here.

The sources said the EU committee, which is responsible for deciding the bloc's
key trade policies, agreed to accept the results of the commission's negotiations
with South Korea on key sticking points, including duty drawbacks and rules of
origin.
The issues have been blocking the two sides from concluding the deal to lower
trade barriers, despite lengthy negotiations.
The commission made clear that there will be no more negotiations with South
Korea, and what was reported Friday is the final version, effectively concluding
the talks with Seoul, according to the sources.
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