S. Korea ready to launch FTA talks with EU in May

South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun said Wednesday that his government is ready to launch free trade agreement (FTA) talks with the European Union (EU) in May.

"I and Prime Minister Prodi shared common understanding of enormous economic effects of a South Korea-EU FTA and agreed on the need to launch bilateral FTA talks as soon as possible," said Roh at a joint press conference held after a meeting with visiting Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi.

"South Korea concluded the FTA with the U.S. despite fierce opposition by many South Koreans. But South Korea's FTA talks with the EU may not run into any significant resistance. We're ready to open talks with the EU in May," Roh added.

Roh said he and Prodi agreed to deepen bilateral relations in the fields of marine logistics, industrial technology, information technology and science during their summit.

The two leaders held serious discussions about widening two-way cooperation in marine logistics in particular, Roh added.

Prodi said at the news conference that Italy will positively consider offering humanitarian assistance to North Korea.

Prodi arrived here on Tuesday for a three-day visit. He is the first Italian prime minister to visit South Korea since the two countries established diplomatic ties in 1956.

Source: Xinhua