INTRODUCTION

This chapter will discuss environmental cooperation between the EU and Korea against the background of the law and practice of the EU's external relations. It will identify environment-related provisions in the EU-Korea Framework Agreement and contrast them with other bilateral agreements concluded by the EU with third countries. It will then discuss two means of implementation: political dialogue and EU external funding. By fostering better understanding of the peculiarities and ambitions of the EU's approach to environmental integration in its external relations, the chapter will conclude by emphasising the opportunities and limitations of dialogue to strengthen environmental cooperation between the EU and Korea.

THE BASES OF ENVIRONMENTAL COOPERATION IN THE FRAMEWORK AGREEMENT

Overview

The environmental dimension of the Framework Agreement with Korea can be assessed from the viewpoint of environmental integration – a treaty-based requirement for the EU to integrate environmental concerns into the definition and implementation of its policies, including its external relations. To fulfill this obligation, the EU aims to include in its general bilateral agreements both environmental cooperation clauses (dealing solely with the environment) and environmental integration clauses (mandating or encouraging the incorporation of environmental concerns into other cooperation areas).