The EU-Korea free trade agreement in practice

The Free Trade Agreement between the EU and the Republic of Korea (EU-Korea FTA) is the first of a new generation of FTAs. The decision to launch negotiations on such FTAs with third countries is based on solid economic criteria with the objective of enhancing market access for European companies in the highly dynamic and competitive markets of Asia. These FTAs will also represent stepping stones for future liberalisation, tackling issues which are not yet ready for multilateral discussion and going beyond the market opening that can currently be achieved in the multilateral context