South Korea and Australia have agreed to swiftly conclude negotiations on
forging a bilateral free trade agreement, Seoul's foreign ministry said
Thursday.
The agreement was reached at a meeting earlier in the day
between South Korean Foreign Minister Kim Sung-hwan, who is on a two-day visit
to Australia, and Australian Trade Minister Craig Emerson, ministry officials
said. Kim and Emerson "reached a common understanding that they will make utmost
efforts to come up with measures that are mutually acceptable regarding
outstanding issues," the ministry said in a statement.
The issue of free
trade talks was also broached at a meeting between Kim and Australian Prime
Minister Julia Gillard, according to the statement.
South Korea and
Australia launched free trade negotiations in early 2009, focusing on
agriculture, services, and autos, among other sectors.