Australian ambassador’s big regret: no FTA
Korea Herald
Australian ambassador’s big regret: no FTA
By Yoav Cerralbo
12 December 2005
Australian Ambassador Colin Heseltine left Seoul two days ago for home at the end of his assignment with one major bit of unfinished business - he was not able to push the excellent bilateral relations between both countries to an even higher level with a free trade agreement.
"It’s something that Australia has put this idea (the FTA) to Korea on a number of occasions but because of the agricultural sensitivities like the farms, the Korean government is understandably very weary," Heseltine said in an interview with The Korea Herald last week.
The Australian government has been actively pursuing FTAs with its Pacific neighbors for the past 20 years after signing the first pact with New Zealand. Last year they signed with the United States, Singapore and Thailand and are in the process of negotiating with China. And, Japan and Australia are doing feasibility studies which might take about two years.
Another current negotiation is with the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations. "These are all our major trading partners in the region but the only country that we don’t have is Korea and I think that’s a real pity," he said. It’s a pity because, as Heseltine explained, both countries share a very good, strong and healthy relationship across the diplomatic board. Both have a booming trade and economic relationship, and they share similar values such as a common political and security interest for the region and beyond.
Because of all this, Heseltine said, a good way for both countries to reach the next level would be with an FTA.
"Free trade agreements are primarily about economic relationships, but they are not only (economic). There is a political dimension to them and I think for Australia and Korea to start a process heading towards a free trade agreement relationship would be an acknowledgement, a reflection of the importance of the bilateral relationship both countries share. But we have to be realistic, I don’t think it’s going to happen anytime soon but we will certainly like to see it.
"The fact that we haven’t yet been able to even begin a process of studying in detail what an FTA would entail and the benefits is a pity and, as I say, I leave Korea with a sense of unfinished business on that one."
For many years both countries have shared a strong relationship and it shows in the numbers. Korea is Australia’s fourth largest trading partner and is currently Australia’s third largest export market after China and Japan. For Korea, Australia is the ninth largest trading partner.
"We’ve worked together in a range of international security issues. We are both alleys. We both have formal alliance relationships with the Unites States so it’s a relationship we value highly," Heseltine said.
During his four years four months heading the Australian Embassy here, Heseltine has seen this country grow and change on many different levels but the one he pointed out as the most important was the change of attitude in young people.
"Younger people are becoming more assertive and more influential, so the trends that the young people are picking up are becoming very pervasive in Korean society. That’s sort of spills into business and politics and such things," he said.
Heseltine said this change might be unsettling for older Koreans at times, but it’s happening and is inevitable.
"Like everything with Korea’s development, whether it’s economic development or political development or social and cultural changes, it’s happening very quickly," he said. "Countries like Canada and Australia have undergone this change over centuries as new world countries. Both have had a slow gradual evolution but here it’s moving quickly and still is."
Heseltine left knowing that even though some things weren’t accomplished, he helped raise the image of Australia to the general population and his country is one of the most sought after vacation and education spots for Koreans. For example, Korean Air and Qantas have added a series of chartered flights for this holiday season.
Heseltine was also proud about the very popular and successful Australia national days during his time here which also helped to increase his country’s image.
During the past three years, the national day receptions depicted various aspects of Australian life and products, with different themes each year.
"The feedback we got from those was so positive. That was something that was different."
Heseltine also did a lot of work to promote the strategic value of Australia as an energy and resources products provider.
"We’re the largest coal supplier; we supply uranium, iron oar, aluminum zinc. We are a substantial supplier of strategic materials for Korean economic growth," he said.
One of the things Heseltine said he is going to miss is the constant movement of change and energy Seoul and Korea exude.
For example "in Korea things are always happening and always on the move. I think most expats who spend time here end up missing this country’s energy after they leave."
He and his wife, Mary Louise Heseltine, will spend some time relaxing and meeting friends and family in Australia before going to Singapore. There, Heseltine will be deputy executive director of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum’s secretariat for about a year before taking over the top spot in January 2007.
"Australia is going to host the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in 2007 so we will be providing the executive director for that year. I’ll go next year to work with the Vietnamese because they host next year and then I continue to work for the year after."
During his month off, he joked, he plans to sleep a lot. His wife, too, is looking forward to catching up on some rest - apart from her various duties as an ambassador’s wife in Seoul she was also mayor for the past year of Seoul English Village, which is operated for the city government by Herald Media and provides English-only programs for children.
Heseltine’s replacement as ambassador in Seoul, Peter Rowe, arrives at the beginning of January. He is no stranger to Korea, having served in the early 1990s as deputy head of mission.
