The 27 member countries of the European Union (EU) will meet next week to coordinate views on key issues ahead of the eighth round of free trade talks with South Korea.

EU Trade Commissioner Catherine Ashton told Reuters Friday that she will meet with top trade officials of EU member countries in Brussels next week to discuss negotiation strategies for the South Korea-EU free trade talks.

South Korea and the EU have both agreed to conclude the free trade talks during the negotiations that will open in Seoul on March 23rd.

Issues involving the EU’s auto sector are expected to top next week’s discussions as Europe’s struggling carmakers have urged for a suspension of trade talks with South Korea.