Korea-EU FTA: Delegates need to maintain unitary stance for negotiations
Korea Times | 09-16-2007
Korea-EU FTA
Delegates Need to Maintain Unitary Stance for Negotiations
South Korea and the European Union will embark on full-fledged negotiations Monday for the envisioned establishment of a free trade agreement. The two sides are expected to engage in combat-like negotiations as they have already completed two rounds of initial negotiations. The five-day talks in Brussels, Belgium, will focus on sensitive items such as automobiles and livestock products, among others.
In a turnaround from its stubborn stance, the Korean side has already presented a series of concessions. For instance, it plans to abolish tariffs on manufactured goods within seven years, with the exception of some products, though it had previously adhered to a 10-year period. With this, the portion of goods subjected to no tariffs out of total imports will increase to 68 percent, up from 63 percent as suggested in the second round negotiations.
South Korea also plans to unveil its timetable for the liberalization of the domestic agricultural and livestock markets to European products. Officials said some 250 items will be included on the opening list. The opening of the pork market has been a hot issue as it may trigger far-reaching repercussions from farmers. Korea’s chief delegate Kim Han-soo told a news briefing Sept. 14 that livestock products will be subject to market liberalization. ``Blocking imports of pork is tantamount to opposing the FTA,’’ he said.
We admit the need to liberalize the livestock market as it will help consumers get easier access to quality goods at reasonable prices. But we believe there should be measures to protect the relevant Korean farmers as a sudden influx of European pork will lead to that livestock industry crumbling. Tariff imposition for a certain period will become inevitable toward that end.
In the automobile sector, the two sides have been in a tug-of-war, calling on each other to lower tariff rates. South Korea is poised to ease the 8 percent customs wall with a view to lowering the 10 percent tariffs by the EU. But it maintains a cautious attitude paying heed to the EU’s stance on the introduction of automotive standards. Despite the concessions, the EU has expressed disappointment in an apparent bid to press South Korea to yield more.
The issue of Gaeseong Industrial Complex will also be put on the table. The EU is urged to show a more generous stance over the issue as acknowledging the goods produced in the complex as South Korea-made ones will help the impoverished North Korea expedite economic reform and promote peace and reconciliation on the Korean Peninsula.
We urge the Korean side to proceed with the negotiations on a strict give-and-take basis to ensure mutually-benefiting relations. The delegates are asked not to repeat the blunder they committed during the first round of negotiations due mainly to the differences in opinions between them.
