Brussels, 01/12/2006 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday, the European Commission will be making an official request to the Council for negotiating mandates for bilateral free trade agreements (FTAs) between the EU and South Korea, India and ASEAN states (three separate negotiating mandates). The three new FTAs are essential elements of the EU's new trade strategy, launched in October 2006 by EU Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson (see EUROPE 9278 and 9279). The Commission hopes the talks can start soon after Christmas and is counting on getting the go-ahead from the General Affairs and External Relations Council in March 2006. The European Commission will also publish a recommendation for a Council decision authorising it to open negotiations for association and free trade agreements between the EU and Central America and between the EU and the ANDEAN Community. These association agreements are seen as general agreements covering the whole range of existing relations in a single, contractual agreement based on political cooperation and the FTAs. On Wednesday, the European Commission will also publish its Green Paper on trade defence tools. (eh)