EU Commissioner Ferrero-Waldner to visit the Republic of Korea on 19-20 April

European Commission for External Relations and Neighbourhood Policy, Benita Ferrero-Waldner will visit the Republic of Korea (RoK) on 19-20 April, for meetings with President Roh Moo-hyun, Foreign Minister Ban Ki-Moon and Unification Minister Lee Jong-seok. Discussions will cover bilateral issues, and how to build on the already strong EU-South Korea trading relationship; regional issues, including north-south relations, the six party talks on North Korea, and developments in North East Asia; and international matters including Iran, Iraq, UN reform, progress in the Doha Development Agenda, avian flu, climate change and energy security. During her trip the Commissioner will also meet European and Korean business representatives and inaugurate an EU Study Centre in Seoul aimed at boosting awareness of the EU and the relationship between the Union and South Korea.

On the eve of her trip, Commissioner Ferrero-Waldner commented: "This is my first visit to the Republic of Korea as EU External Relations Commissioner. The ROK is a valued partner for the EU - not only because of our substantial trading relationship, but because of the very important role the country plays in working for peace and stability in the region. While our relationship has deepened in recent years, I believe there is still a lot of unexplored potential. We need to work together to address outstanding regulatory and trade problems where they exist - and also to expand our co-operation on shared challenges ranging from avian flu, to climate change and energy security".

EU-South Korea relations are developing well under the Framework Agreement on Trade and Cooperation signed in 1996 and in recent years new areas of co-operation have been launched, including the participation of the ROK in ITER and the EU's satellite navigation system, Galileo. The Commissioner's visit will provide an opportunity to review progress in co-operation on scientific projects, and to take stock of efforts on each side to tackle the threat posed by Avian Influenza.

The Commissioner looks forward to hearing the latest evaluation of the ROK of the 6 Party Talks process. The EU is not a participant in this process, but has made clear its readiness to contribute to a political solution to the problems arising from North Korea's nuclear weapons programme. The EU has been a participant in KEDO and contributed substantial humanitarian aid to the DPRK.

The Commissioner's visit will provide an opportunity to exchange views on relations with other major players in the region including China and Japan. She will confirm her commitment to pursuing a close dialogue with the ROK on developments in the region, and stress her determination to intensify EU relations with Asia, particularly through the Asia Europe Meeting (ASEM).

She will also underline the growing importance of energy questions in discussions between the EU and ASEM, and make clear the EU's interest in acquiring observer status at the East Asia Summit.

The EU is the number two destination for Korean exports and the largest foreign investor in the RoK; the RoK is the forth largest export market for the EU.

For more information on the EU's relations with the Republic of Korea:

http://europa.eu.int/comm/external_relations/south_korea/intro/index.htm

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