Brussels, 08/09/2006 (Agence Europe) - Although the Finnish presidency affirmed that the question of a possible launch, in the near future, of negotiations for a bilateral free trade agreement was “not on the agenda”, Community sources said that it would “definitely be discussed” during the EU/South Korea summit on 9 September in Helsinki “even if this meeting is not solely a forum for this kind of discussions”. The Finnish president and president of the European Council, Matti Vanhanen, his minister for foreign affairs Erkki Tuomioja, minister for trade Paula Lehtomäki, president of the European Commission José Manuel Barroso, Commissioner for external relations Benita Ferrero-Waldner and the High Representative of the EU for CFSP, Javier Solana, met the South Korean delegation, president Roh Moo-Hyun and the minister for foreign affairs Ban Ki-Moon. At this event they will be examining bilateral relations and ways to strengthen political and economic relations between the European Union and Seoul. Following the suspension of the Doha Round of multilateral trade negotiations last July, the possibility of a bilateral free trade agreement is being seen as more of an option. As part of the ministerial meeting of the Association of South Eastern Asian Nations (ASEAN) last May in Manila, the Commissioner for trade, Peter Mandelson, and his South Korean counterpart Kim Hyun-Chong, agreed to hold preliminary discussions on negotiations for a free trade agreement (EUROPE 9195). Such an agreement would be an opportunity for the European Union, which is behind the United States, following the latter's launch last February of negotiations with Seoul, for a bilateral trade agreement. The subject is therefore clearly expected to be raised, despite the absence of Mr Mandelson, who will be on a visit to Rio where he is attending a ministerial meeting on Doha negotiations (see other article). Community sources revealed that the Commission has still not requested a mandate from the Council to negotiate with Seoul but is hoping to be able to launch negotiations in 2007. It is also hoping that the South Koreans inform the Finnish presidency in Helsinki of the advantages of such an agreement.
Still within the field of trade, the Union is expected to take advantage of the summit to promote the elimination of some of the barriers to trade and bilateral investment that are holding back the activities of European companies. Issues involving energy security, climate change and scientific and technological cooperation will also be on the Helsinki Summit agenda where Europeans and South Koreans are expected to sign an agreement on Seoul's participation in the European satellite radio-navigation system, Galileo.
Participants at the summit will also exchange views on current regional and international issues (North Korea, “the Six's discussions”, security in the Asian-Pacific region and the Lebanon, Iran, Iraq and Doha negotiations).