(2nd LD) Korean, EU leaders call for early conclusion of FTA, better ties

(ATTN: RECASTS headline, lead paras; UPDATES with outcome of Korea-EU summit)
By Byun Duk-kun
SEOUL, May 23 (Yonhap) -- South Korean President Lee Myung-bak and his European
counterparts called for efforts Saturday to conclude negotiations for a free
trade deal between Korea and the European Union (EU) at an early date and for
cooperation on global and regional issues.
"The leaders agreed the future-oriented partnership between the sides will not
only help improve the bilateral relationship between Korea and EU, but will also
contribute to the development and peace of their regions and the international
community," the leaders said in a joint statement released at the end of their
summit.
The Korea-EU summit was attended by Lee, European Commission President Jose
Manuel Barroso and Vaclav Klaus, president of the Czech Republic who is serving
in the EU's rotating presidency.
South Korea and the EU are trying to resolve the last remaining hurdle in
negotiations for a free trade agreement (FTA), duty drawback, which allows for
the return of import tariffs to companies that use imported raw materials to
produce goods for export.
The leaders said that a Korea-EU FTA, along with an envisioned change to the
Korea-EU Framework Agreement, will be an important opportunity to further
strengthen and upgrade their relationship, according to their joint statement.
"We, the leaders, agreed to turn the Korea-EU relationship into a strategic
partnership based on the two agreements," the statement said.
An agreement was later signed on cooperation over anti-competitive activities in
a ceremony attended by Lee and the EU leaders.
Turning to regional security issues, the leaders called on Pyongyang to
immediately return to the six-party talks that are aimed at denuclearizing North
Korea.
"The leaders reaffirmed North Korea's April 5 rocket test launch was a violation
of U.N. Security Council Resolution 1718, and an act that undermined peace and
stability in Northeast Asia and other regions," the joint statement said.
Lee and Klaus earlier held a separate Korea-Czech summit, in which they agreed to
seek increased cooperation between their countries.
"The two leaders noted the relationship between their two countries has
significantly improved since they established diplomatic ties 20 years ago, and
agreed to strengthen their mutual and practical cooperation," Seoul's
presidential office Cheong Wa Dae said.
bdk@yna.co.kr
(END)