Germany Backs Korea’s FTA With EU
By Na Jeong-ju
Staff Reporter
President Lee Myung-bak and German President Horst Koehler agreed Monday to expand cooperation on various issues of mutual concern, including the proposed free trade agreement between Korea and the European Union, and the planned G-20 meeting in Seoul in November.
They also discussed the importance of Korea-Germany relations for stability on the Korean Peninsula and in Northeast Asia amid North Korea's nuclear threats, and in tackling global challenges such as climate change, Cheong Wa Dae said.
The agreements came at their summit at the presidential office. The German President arrived here Sunday for a four-day state visit at the invitation of Lee.
The leaders discussed ways to expand bilateral trade between Korea and Germany, which is the country's largest European trading partner.
Lee showed appreciation for Germany's support for the Korea-EU FTA and requested its cooperation for an early signing of the deal.
South Korea and the 27-nation bloc started negotiations on signing the FTA in May 2007 and are currently trying to resolve the last remaining hurdle to concluding the talks. The EU has failed to narrow differences among its members over some sticky issues, such as a duty drawback scheme and rules of origin.
President Koehler said that Korea is drawing keen attention from the rest of the world as the chair of this year's G-20 Summit, which has emerged as the world's premier economic forum. He called for close cooperation between Korea and Germany so that the two countries could play constructive roles in establishing a new economic order, Cheong Wa Dae said.
President Lee told Koehler that Korea wants to learn from Germany's experience of reunification two decades ago, saying the two countries should work closely together to resolve the North Korean nuclear issue as soon as possible.
The presidents also agreed to strengthen the basis for cooperation on regional and global issues such as helping reconstruct Afghanistan, countering climate change and providing development aid.
Koehler, the first German president to visit Seoul in eight years, met with National Assembly Speaker Kim Hyong-o and cultural and religious leaders later Monday.
He is scheduled to meet today with German businesspeople and Sakong Il, chairman of the Presidential Committee for the G-20 Summit.