European Union (EU) Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson on Wednesday formally requested mandates from the EU member states for free trade talks with India, South Korea and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

"These three new deals are a key part of the Global Europe trade policy framework launched in October 2006, and will complement the EU's commitment to the World Trade Organization (WTO) multilateral trading system," said Mandelson's office in a statement.

According to the European Commission, the EU's executive arm, India, South Korea and the ASEAN members combined large markets, rapid growth and high levels of protection against EU export interests.

"These competitiveness-driven free trade talks need to be comprehensive and ambitious in coverage, aiming at the highest possible degree of trade liberalization, including far-reaching liberalization of services and investment," said the statement.

Mandelson said he hoped to start negotiations on all three bilateral agreements in early 2007.

On the same day, Mandelson also requested negotiating mandates for new agreements with Central American and Andean nations, both of which will include enhanced trade and investment agreements.