EU Ambassador Castillo Fernandez Meets With Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Choi

20.11.2020

Ambassador of the European Union (EU) to the Republic of Korea Maria Castillo Fernandez (hereinafter Ambassador) met with Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Choi Jong Kun on 15 October 15 and exchanged views on issues of mutual interest, including the EU-RoK relations.

Vice Minister Choi and Ambassador Castillo Fernandez noted with appreciation that the EU and the RoK, sharing universal values, have steadily enhanced cooperation in a range of areas, including political, economic and security affairs, and agreed to continue close communication at various levels even amid COVID-19.

In particular, Vice Minister Choi, noting that the EU-RoK virtual summit held on June 30 has created a momentum for expanding bilateral cooperation, expressed hope that the two sides would expand high-level exchanges in a wider range of areas, including transportation, economic, trade affairs and climate, and thereby continue to advance the EU-RoK strategic partnership.

Ambassador Castillo Fernandez said that the EU’s interest in strengthening cooperation with the RoK is greater than ever, and hoped to continue to expand cooperation based on solid institutional foundations, including the EU-RoK Framework Agreement and Free Trade Agreement (FTA). She particularly looked forward to deepening cooperation on security issues, including crisis management and cybersecurity.

Ambassador Castillo Fernandez expressed concern over the resurgence of COVID-19 in Europe and praised the RoK’s COVID-19 response. Vice Minister Choi hoped that the EU and the RoK would continue to contribute together to international efforts to ensure a fair distribution of vaccines through the COVAX Facility as well as the development of vaccines.

Furthermore, the two sides shared views on the current situation on the Korean Peninsula, and agreed to continue to closely communicate on regional affairs.

Ambassador Castillo Fernandez reaffirmed the EU’s support for President Moon Jae-in’s efforts to establish peace on the Korean Peninsula, and said that the EU will continue to make contributions.