SINGAPORE, 3 March 2010: EU Trade Commissioner Karel De Gucht and Singapore Minister for Trade and Industry Lim Hng Kiang met today to officially launch negotiations for a free trade agreement (FTA) between the EU and Singapore. The first round of negotiations is scheduled to take place from 8 – 12 March 2010 in Singapore. The EU-Singapore FTA (EUSFTA) marks a milestone in the EU's longstanding relations with Singapore.