Brussels, 12/01/2006 (Agence Europe) - Following six months of talks, negotiations between the European Union and South Korea concluded on Thursday with an agreement paving the way for South Korean participation in the European Satellite radionavigation Galileo programme. Agreement was reached in Brussels between Heinz Hilbrecht, Director in the Commission's DG Energy and Transport, and Counsellor Choi Jong Hyun, representing South Korea. The agreement makes provision for scientific, industrial and commercial cooperation, and also cooperation in standards and certification. This is the first agreement signed by the Commission in 2006, though negotiations for participation in the Galileo programme were concluded with several other countries, notably China, last year (see EUROPE 9002).