South Korean president supports Aust FTA
AAP | Wednesday March 04, 2009
South Korean president supports Aust FTA
South Korea’s President Lee Myung-bak has confirmed his support for a free trade agreement with Australia.
News Limited reports Lee will announce the start of formal negotiations towards the FTA in Canberra on Thursday.
Lee and Prime Minister Kevin Rudd are also expected to announce a new security cooperation agreement on Thursday that would resemble the security agreement Australia has with Japan.
"Australia is part of the Asian zone and it is our (security) partner. There is a lot we do together," Lee told The Australian newspaper.
The security agreement is also likely to cover enhanced intelligence exchanges, high-level security dialogues and close co-operation in peace keeping operations.
Lee’s Australian visit will begin in Sydney on Wednesday, where he will meet NSW Governor Marie Bashir in the afternoon.
In the evening he will be a guest at a dinner hosted by NSW Premier Nathan Rees.
Lee Myung-bak was in New Zealand on Tuesday where he had talks with Prime Minister John Key on the prospect of a bilateral trade deal.
