">Forum Views ()
">Forum Replies ()
Read more with google mobile :
SKorea, EU aim to make progress on FTA at summit
Yahoo!
My Yahoo!
Mail
Yahoo! Search
Search:
Sign InNew User? Sign Up
News Home -
Help
Navigation
Primary Navigation
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Top Stories
Most Popular
Secondary Navigation
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Search
Search:
SKorea, EU aim to make progress on FTA at summit
By KELLY OLSEN,AP Business Writer AP - 2 hours 16 minutes ago
SEOUL, South Korea - South Korea and the European Union hope to use a weekend summit to make progress on a stalled free trade agreement and lay the groundwork for expanded relations.
ADVERTISEMENT
An EU delegation led by European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso and Czech President Vaclav Klaus planned one-day talks Saturday with South Korea President Lee Myung-bak. The Czech Republic holds the rotating EU presidency.
South Korea and the EU are trying to nail down a free trade deal but have been hindered by differences over refunds South Korea pays to local companies who import parts from third countries before exporting finished goods.
The 27-member EU does not accept the practice, known as duty drawback, in its free trade agreements. European automakers have also expressed concerns about the deal as South Korea enjoys a huge trade surplus in vehicles.
Chief negotiators for the two sides reached a tentative agreement in March after nearly two years of negotiations, but left key issues of a "political nature" _ including duty drawback _ for higher-ranking officials to resolve.
That has not proven easy so far. South Korean Trade Minister Kim Jong-hoon and EU Trade Commissioner Catherine Ashton were unable to achieve a breakthrough during talks on the sidelines of the Group of 20 summit in April.
"A comprehensive free trade agreement is now within reach," Ashton said in an EU statement earlier this week. "We will continue to work on the remaining issues with a view to delivering a deal that will create growth and jobs for both sides."
A South Korean Foreign Ministry official said Friday that a deal was unlikely to be announced this weekend, though expressed hope one could be completed next month. He spoke on condition of anonymity, citing sensitivities ahead of the summit.
The EU and South Korea are major trade partners _ $98.4 billion worth of goods in 2008. The EU is South Korea's second-largest trading partner after China and is its largest foreign investor.
Auto trade heavily favors South Korea. South Koreans bought 32,756 vehicles from EU states last year, while South Korea exported 408,934 vehicles to the EU. EU manufacturers accounted for 53.1 percent of South Korea's imported vehicle market.
The summit will be the fourth between South Korea and the EU, though will be the first time one will be held in South Korea. Previous summits took place on the sidelines of broader meetings.
Other issues expected to be discussed are North Korea, the global financial crisis and climate change.
The EU said earlier this week that besides reviewing progress so far on the free trade deal, the two sides will discuss a planned updating of their existing EU-Korea Framework Agreement.
Besides Ashton, EU External Relations Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner will accompany Barroso and Klaus. The delegation was to arrive in South Korea after participating in a summit with Russia in Khabarovsk in the country's Far East.
Email Story
IM Story
Printable View
Blog This
Sign in to recommend this article »
0 users recommend
Related Articles: Free Trade
SKorea, EU aim to make progress on FTA at summitAP - 2 hours 20 minutes ago
Ag leaders see free trade as buffer against recessionReuters - Tuesday, May 19
US, SKorea to address free trade pact concernsAFP - Friday, May 15
Autos key as U.S., South Korea trade chiefs meetReuters - Friday, May 15
Related Articles: Business
SKorea, EU aim to make progress on FTA at summitAP - 2 hours 20 minutes ago
Bank of Japan upgrades assessment of economyAP - 2 hours 22 minutes ago
Asian markets fall as investors rethink rallyAP - 2 hours 43 minutes ago
Virgin chief hits back over sexism chargeAFP - 2 hours 59 minutes ago
China's Shenzhen wants to spread: reportAFP - Friday, May 22
Related Full Coverage
Free Trade
Free Trade
All Full Coverage
Most Popular – Business
Viewed
Vitamin D boosts brain power in middle-aged men
ABN Amro says up to 5,000 job to go in merger
Popular cereal is a drug, US food watchdog says
S&P issues warning on UK economy credit rating
Explorer Ranulph Fiennes climbs Everest
View Complete List »
Search:
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Top Stories
Most Popular
Copyright © 2009 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved.
Privacy Policy
- Terms of Service
- Community
- Intellectual Property Rights Policy
- Help
Other News on Friday, 22 May 2009 Netanyahu evicts settlers on return from Washington
| International
|
Britain in climbdown on Gurkha settlement rights
UAW agrees to plan to help save GM
Canada's Magna 'favourite to take over Opel'
Malawi opposition says vote rigged as president leads
| International
|
Ally of India's Congress to leave ruling coalition
| International
|
VimpelCom investing $200 mln in Cambodian phones
Taiwan economy shrinks record pace, outlook cut
Chinese shares close down 1.54%
Gates sees tech helping U.S. out of recession
| Technology
|
Taiwan economy contracts record 10.24% in Q1
Dell seeks market share amid uncertainty
| Technology
|
Troops kill 34 Taliban in major Afghan operation: US
SAP's Business ByDesign coming to mobile devices
| Technology
|
Hero's welcome for Biden in Kosovo
Obama defiant on Guantanamo closure, slams Bush 'mess'
GameStop same store sales stumble
| Technology
|
Space Agencies Mull Orbiting Shipyard
Cheney Defends Waterboarding As "Legal, Essential, Successful"
East Coast May See 4 to 7 Hurricanes This Season
South Carolina Gov. Sanford Sues To Block $350 Million In Stimulus Money
Responding To Obama's Address, Cheney Gives A "Truthful Telling Of History"
Obama Blasts Bush-Era Security Tactics As Ineffective, Unsustainable
U.S. Says Kosovo's Independence "Absolutely Irreversible"
Decomposed Body Found Near Des Plaines River Sparks Hope For Case Of Missing Women
U.S. Weekly Initial Jobless Claims Drop More Than Expected; Continuing Claims Hit Record
Search Continues For Crew Members Of Downed Navy Chopper; Unmanned Vehicles To Locate Aircraft
Two Spanish TV stations set to merge: report
Social networking sites 'keep deleted photos'
YouTube 'gets 20 hours of video' added per minute
Senate votes for war funds, not Guantanamo closure
Russia, EU seek to bridge gulfs in Far East
'World's oldest blogger' dies in Spain at 97
News
EU, Russia open prickly summit talks
Chavez nationalizes iron, steel companies
Xerox CEO to step down
Last phase of Sri Lanka war killed 6,200 troops: government
| International
|
PM vows Jerusalem will remain Israel's capital 'forever'
Gabon's president hospitalised in Spain
US Treasury injects $7.5 bln more into GMAC
GPS satellites not 'falling out of the sky': Air Force
News
Biden says ending Balkan divisions will take time
| International
|
News
Gabon's leader in Spain for 'medical check-up'
H1N1 virus spreads in Asia, protection wobbly
| International
|
Fighting rocks Somali capital
| International
|
News
China arrests 10 in new brick kiln slave case
| International
|
Indian PM Singh to be sworn in for second term
| International
|
News
House panel begins action on climate bill
Group group warns of risks from oil dependence
EPA urged to act on climate, not wait for Congress
UN: Growth of slums boosting natural disaster risk
Fiji regime starts naming judges after firing them
GMAC receives $7.5 billion in new Treasury aid
U.S. federal judge weighs DVD copying case
| Technology
|
Google Ocean shows the effects of climate change
Indonesia air force in spotlight after plane crash
Florida's BankUnited fails, will cost FDIC $4.9B
Tokyo park plays high-pitch tone to teen vandals
| Technology
|
World's oceans need protection from climate change
Myanmar: Suu Kyi visitor was anti-government plot
Ex-soldier spared death sentence for Iraq murders
AP Interview: Gore, volunteers target Congress
Indian PM to be sworn in for second term
Senate passes $91.3 billion war funding bill
Skeleton Found Inside Sunken Car Belongs To Man Missing For 20 Years
Torrential rains, gusty winds hammer Australia
Huawei takes third spot in mobile telco gear market
| Technology
|
Obama: 50 Gitmo detainees cleared for transfer
Undecided Jury Prompts Life Sentence Verdict For U.S. Soldier Who Killed Iraqi Family
Japan eases anti-swine flu measures
Florida Gov. Crist Signs Legislation Encouraging Economic Growth
Australian swine flu cases reach 11
NY man charged in fatal shooting at Harvard
Sierra Club Seeks To Stop New Power Transmission Line Across West Virginia, Maryland
2 kids inside California home as parents killed
Factory owner held in China fire that killed 13
New York AG Indicts 7 From Alleged Prostitution Ring Operating Thru Ads On Craigslist
Taiwan-China business ties grow as barriers fall
China to complete school safety checks by October
US vice president Biden to visit Beirut
Utah Man State's First Swine Flu Death
SKorea, EU aim to make progress on FTA at summit
Lawmakers demand Guantanamo Uighurs move to US
Mom Of Boy Buried In N. Mexico Playground Suffocated, Revived Son
Dozens arrested in LA gang crackdown
Wall Street Slides On Employment Data, Credit Rating Concerns
Bank of Japan upgrades assessment of economy
China's Shenzhen wants to spread: report
Pakistani c.bank sells 15.8 bln rupees of T-bills
SKorea "unlikely to meet fiscal balance" by 2012
Korea Hot Stocks
San Miguel Corp buys stake in Liberty: report
Rubber plantations could have 'devastating' impact in Asia
India inflation nudges higher but rate cuts still seen
Sean Penn calls off divorce for a second time
| Entertainment
|
American Idol ends on low note
| Entertainment
|
Terminator Salvation opens strong
| Entertainment
|
Deal-making gains momentum at Cannes festival
| Entertainment
|
Blame game starts over Indonesia plane crash
Rachel Weisz stars in religious epic Agora
| Entertainment
|
Indonesia sifts through military plane crash wreckage
Filmmaker Michael Moore targeting economic crisis
| Entertainment
|
News
CBS finishes season as most-watched U.S. network
| Entertainment
|
News
Comedian Schimmel won't face assault charges in LA
Hollywood actors approve new commercials deal
| Entertainment
|
News
Tourists throng Paris's 'ghost' metro stations
Black Eyed Peas lead singles chart; Eminem top debut
| Entertainment
|
Penn withdraws separation filing from wife Robin
News
Rx for `Extra': health reports, celebrity scoops
21 Afghan migrants detained in Indonesia
Director Raimi takes time out for horror ride
Michael Moore preparing to turn sights on Wall St
Duffy among winners at British songwriting awards
'Spider-Man' director shocked at death of actress Gordon
China's Zhang Yimou to direct Turandot at Bird Nest: report
Cannes ups star power at celebrity mega-party
Tax Collectors Seek Hefty Cut On Earnings Of Student From Online Sale Of Virginity
Skeleton Found Inside Sunken Car Belongs To Man Missing For 20 Years
Drunk Pilot Arrested Before Flying Plane To Chicago
Australian Shooting Witness Gains Celebrity Status Online
California First Lady Starting Edible Garden At Capitol
Web Sensation Susan Boyle Gets Mention On "The Simpsons"
Gold Tooth Leads To Woman Getting Arm Stuck In Toilet At Mets Game
Kanye West Says Jay-Z Is Like Frank Sinatra
Brad Pitt "Drunk" When He Agreed To Star In New Quentin Tarantino Film
Bette Midler Says Rapper 50 Cent "Made Her Life Worth Living"
Suu Kyi pleads not guilty in U.S. intruder case
| International
|
Israeli troops kill 2 militants in Gaza clash
U.N. seeks aid for Pakistanis; bomb kills six
| International
|
Russia challenges EU on energy supplies at summit
| International
|
Afghan and U.S. forces kill 34 militants in drug raids
| International
|
Expenses row might provoke suicide, British MP warns
| International
|
North Korea warns ships near missile base: Japan
| International
|
Colombia's Uribe: Should I stay or should I go?
| International
|
The Nation's Weather
Terror plot suspects have lengthy criminal records
Gates sees tech helping U.S. out of recession
| Technology
|
Stock futures point higher after week's pullback
Pope on Facebook in attempt to woo young believers
| Technology
|
Stormy weather keeps space shuttle up extra day
Tech firms balance cost cuts and innovation
| Technology
|
Police: NM mom charged in son's death was homeless
EBay wins UK court battle with L'Oreal
| Technology
|
Yahoo eyes acquisitions, social media
| Technology
|
Obama's Day: Bill signings, commencement address
Blaze guts huge Houston warehouse; no injuries
Taiwan dlr at 5-mth high on U.S. debt woes, econ hopes
Oregon tribes, farmers settle river use dispute
China to launch iron ore trading platform
Taiwan April jobless rate falls slightly
Taiwan jobless rate improves slightly
Bank of Japan sees recession easing
S.Korea pushes for LNG imports by private firms
China says industrial output growth to jump in 2Q
China: rich nations must cut emissions by 40 pct
Seoul shares down on exporters; SK Networks up
Ledger's last performance hits screen in Cannes
| Entertainment
|
'The Sims' return with more personality quirks
Indonesian imams OK Facebook _ but no flirting!
Party spirit lacking in Cannes as crisis bites
| Entertainment
|
Former Indonesia general wealthiest in poll line-up
Kix Brooks to honor fallen soldier on Memorial Day
`Ledger and friends' present actor's final role
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights