Brussels, 06/10/2010 (Agence Europe) - Speaking to press after the EU-South Korea Summit on 6 October, European Commission President José Manuel Barroso confirmed that Japan wanted to negotiate a trade agreement with the EU “as soon as possible”. Noting that the new pact with South Korea, “would pave the way for a series of other free trade agreements with Asian countries”, Barroso said that he had had discussions on Monday with the Japanese prime minister on making progress on bilateral trade relations. Trade relations with Japan are currently governed by the 2001 EU-Japan action plan. As a competitor of South Korea in the motor car and electronics sectors, Japan would also like to enjoy privileged access to the European market. (E.H./transl.rt)