The President  expressed optimism on Monday (July 13) in reaching final agreement in signing a Korea-EU free trade agreement (FTA).

In his nationally broadcast radio address on Monday, President Lee said his European trip is aimed at reaching final agreement in the Korea-EU FTA through a series of summit talks with leaders of EU countries, adding that he won backing from the countries which had previously shown reluctance to support the Korea-EU free trade deal.

Once the deal is reached, Lee said, it will bring epoch-making changes to Korea''s trade, since the Korea-EU FTA will be an agreement between Korea and 27 EU member countries.

At a press conference held at a hotel in Stockholm on July 13, President Lee, currently on his three-nation European trip, said, "Regarding the Korea-EU FTA, the 27 EU member states have finally united in one voice. This means a de facto agreement."

He also said he will officially announce the conclusion of the free trade deal, and Korea and each of the EU member countries will sign the deal within the next two months.

According to President Lee, the EU expects the deal will bring win-win effects in the industrial products, automobiles, machinery, chemistry and pharmaceutical sectors.

Lee also said the conclusion of the Korea-EU FTA will bring about a series of free trade deals between Korea and other countries; Korea and India will sign a free trade pact this August and the ratification of the Korea-U.S. FTA will follow, which means that Korea will have free trade deals with the countries that have an influence on more than 50 percent of the world''s population.

In regard to the climate change issue, Lee said firms need to show changes of mindset because climate change is a global phenomenon which cannot be solved by our existing practices, adding that we are entering an era which will see changes in our lifestyle and consumption patterns.