Brussels, 03/06/2009 (Agence Europe) - The European Trade Commissioner Catherine Ashton visited the Swedish Minister for Trade, Ewa Björling, in Stockholm on Wednesday 3 June, to discuss the priorities for commercial policy under the Swedish Presidency, during the second half of this year. In particular, Ms Ashton and Ms Björling voiced their commitment to complete a raft of bilateral free-trade agreements (FTA) with third countries, the one with South Korea in particular, which is now nearly concluded, despite persistent differences of opinion over a number of key chapters (EUROPE 9906), but also with ASEAN, India, Central America, the Andean Community and the Gulf Cooperation Council. They also discussed the increased likelihood of concluding the multi-lateral negotiations of the Doha Round, known as the Doha Development Agenda, in view of the global economic crisis. Welcoming the support of the Swedish Presidency to conclude the EU's agenda on commercial policy, Ms Ashton established as a number one priority the conclusion of the FTA with South Korea. "I believe that we can resolve the outstanding problems and obtain an agreement which will be of benefit to a wide range of European industries", she noted in a press release. Ms Ashton and Ms Björling also agreed on other priorities: - promoting free trade and the fight against protectionism, particularly in the face of the crisis; - continuing the market access strategy and elimination of non-tariff barriers; - Russia's accession to the WTO; - the promotion of trade in green goods and services and environmental technologies, in particular; - the continuance of negotiations for the EPAs. (E.H./trans.fl)