[THE INVESTOR] South Korea and the Russia-led Eurasian Economic Union have discussed in Moscow on starting negotiations for a free trade agreement, officials said on Oct. 6.

The talks held on Oct. 5 came on the heels of an agreement to seek an FTA that leaders of South Korea and Russia reached during a summit in Vladivostok in September.

During the talks, the two sides reviewed the outcome of a joint feasibility study that has been made since December between the private sectors of the trade blocs and discussed how and when to start negotiations to seal an FTA.

Deputy Trade Minister Kim Hak-do led a South Korean delegation, while Veronica Nikishina, trade minister of the Eurasian Economic Commission that is the union’s executive body, represented the EAEU.

The EAEU, launched in January 2015, groups Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Armenia and Kyrgyzstan.

(theinvestor@heraldcorp.com)