Brussels, 30/03/2001 (Agence Europe) - After a laborious ratification procedure that lasted five years and the formal green light given last week by the EU Council, the framework trade and cooperation agreement between the Union and the Republic of Korea will enter into force, this Sunday 12 April. EUROPE recalls that this agreement, of an initial duration of five years then possibly extended, mainly aims to develop trade, encourage cooperation in various fields and facilitate investments. Political dialogue is, at the same time, enhanced (see EUROPE of 19/20 March, p.9).
In addition, the European Commission has completed the technical moves allowing for the establishment of diplomatic relations at European level, with Pyongyang, one of its spokespersons announced on Friday, adding that the Commission would be making a proposal along those lines on 2 April to the Council (which has to decide through unanimity). Two Member States, France and Ireland have still not announced a resumption of diplomatic relations with North Korea, but these reservations on the establishment of bilateral diplomatic relations do not mean that these Member States will for that oppose normalisation at Community level, said the spokesperson. This announcement comes within the prospect of a visit that European Council President Goran Persson, High Representative for Cfsp Javier Solana and European Commissioner for external relations Chris Patten should be making to Pyongyang before the end of May. This aim of this trip is to provide the EU's backing for the "sunshine" policy between the two Koreas. It could be an opportunity for an official announcement of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the EU and North Korea.