Things got off to a bumpy start as negotiators made much ado about differences in the car sector. However the two sides did reach a number of agreements on trade remedies.

Korea's chief negotiator to the talks, Kim Hansoo, said the EU has accepted most of Korea's requests to soften its anti-dumping rules.

One such agreement calls for the two sides to hold discussions before the EU opens an anti-dumping investigation.

But in intellectual property rights, the EU wants Korea to toughen its regulations and penalties to crack down on fake European luxury goods.

Other thorny issues abound like pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and the removal of non-tariff barriers in the service and investment sectors.

Despite the minefield of sticky issues, economic experts say the negotiators will do their best to forge common ground as the benefits to follow the trade-opening deal are great.

Although no fixed target date is set for concluding the talks, both sides are aiming for a speedy deal.

With negotiators saying much is at stake, the sooner the deal is sealed, the better.

Arirang News