A call for proposals to support the strengthening of relations between the European Union and South Korea has been announced by the EU Embassy.

With the conclusion of negotiations on the Free Trade Agreement in Oct. 2009 and the signature of the Framework Agreement in May 2010, relations are being upgraded to a higher level.

The new agreements will provide Korea-EU relations with a modern basis and will facilitate an expansion and deepening of relations.

The European Commission’s Directorate-General for External Relations invites proposals relating to activities that promote public knowledge and understanding of the European Union among Koreans and an understanding of the potential for cooperation with Korea amongst Europeans.

Also, the EU is accepting proposals for policy advice on how to shape the overall relationship between both parties as well as policy advice on how to shape specific, functional areas of cooperation between the EU and Korea.

The European Union has stated that the FTA with Korea is the most ambitious they have ever negotiated and will boost trade and investment relations.

The FTA is accompanied by the Framework Agreement, which provides a basis for broadening cooperation and strengthening dialogue, including on major political and global issues such as human rights, non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, counter-terrorism, climate change and energy security.

The deadline for the application is Jan. 27. More information can be had by visiting the embassy’s site at www.delkor.ec.europa.eu.