In 1995, the EU decided to negotiate a “Framework Agreement on Trade and Cooperation“, in recognition of South Korea’s increasing role in the Asian and global economy, and of its success in consolidating democracy. This Agreement entered into force in April 2001 and is implemented through an annual meeting of a Joint Committee.

The EU – South Korea dialogue has broadened these last years, namely through “EU-Korea Summits” and regular ministerial meetings. Both parties cooperate closely in a number of multilateral fora, and have close relationship within the Asian Europe meeting (ASEM).

The 2nd EU-Korea Cooperation Forum on ICT Research was held in Brussels between the 1st and 2nd of December. This second Cooperation Forum is a follow-up event to the one successfully held in Seoul, South Korea in June 2008, and is organised under the aegis of the European Commission (Directorate General Information Society and Media), and of the Ministry of Knowledge Economy (MKE), Korea.

Engin Kirda from Institute Eurecom held a talk on the FORWARD and the WOMBAT EU projects and discussed possible collaboration opportunities with Korean partners. The slides from the talk are available from the publications section of the FORWARD website.