Korea-EU FTA talks see differences over IPR & cars
Chosun Ilbo | July 20, 2007
Korea-EU FTA Talks See Differences over IPR & Cars
Trade negotiators from Korea and the European Union are engaged in free trade negotiations in Brussels this week and they are now trying to work out their differences in a few key trade issues.
Already, the EU has shunned Korea’s request to include goods made in the inter-Korean industrial park in North Korea’s border city of Kaeseong in their potential FTA.
The European negotiators led by Ignacio Garcia Bercero said the Kaeseong matter was legally and politically too complex.
However, Korea’s chief negotiator to the talks Kim Han-soo said his negotiators will continue to push the EU to accept the request as it is one of Korea’s top priorities.
Also, heated debate is expected among negotiators in the intellectual property rights sector.
The EU requested Korea to introduce a system in which cafes and restaurants pay royalties to music producers and performers.
The two sides also have to hold more talks on cars. Since the start of this week’s talks the EU has been demanding Korea to accept 102 out of a list of 120 European car safety standards.
Also, the EU wants Korea to phase out its eight percent tariff on car imports within three years instead of the seven years proposed by Seoul.
Other thorny issues on the negotiation table are Korea’s protective pharmaceuticals and cosmetics markets.
However, some progress has been made in the financial sector and trade remedies.
Despite the ongoing tough negotiations Korean negotiators have said that the talks are moving along at a pace that they expected.
Arirang News
