S. Korea, EU Seek to Conclude FTA This Year

By Kim Se-jeong

Staff Reporter

The Free trade agreement (FTA) is by all means the biggest agenda between Korea and the European Union (EU) during the French presidency of the EU, said the French Ambassador.

French Ambassador Philippe Thiebaud said he hoped South Korea and the EU would conclude negotiations before the year's end, as both countries have agreed.

So far, seven rounds of negotiations have taken place, the seventh being in Brussels, Belgium, last May.

The two sides have yet to narrow down differences on automobiles, tariff reduction, rules of origin and non-tariff barriers, with