BONN, GERMANY --- On the sidelines of the International Afghanistan Conference held in Bonn on December 5, Foreign Minister Kim Sung-Hwan met with EU High Representative for Foreign affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton to exchange views on matters of mutual concern, including bilateral relations and the situation on the Korean Peninsula.
Minister Kim and High Representative Ashton noted with satisfaction that despite worsening economic conditions of late, the trade between the Republic of Korea and the EU has been growing thanks to the bilateral FTA provisionally effectuated on July 1. They agreed to work more closely together in economy and trade to maximize the benefits from the FTA.
The two sides concurred to hold high-level political dialogue on a regular basis to develop the bilateral strategic partnership forged at the 5th ROK-EU Summit held in Brussels, Belgium, in October 2010, and bolster cooperation on human rights and development.
