President Moon Jae-in is holding a video summit with Charles Michel, President of the European Council, and Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, of the European Union (EU) at the Blue House on the 30th. 2020.6.30 [Photo by Yonhap News]
[Asia Economy Reporter Son Sun-hee] President Moon Jae-in on the 30th expressed, "I pay tribute to the leadership of the new European Union (EU) leadership that is leading the resolution of global climate and environmental issues through the 'European Green Deal' policy," and added, "I hope the EU will become an important partner in the 'Green New Deal' policy promoted by our government."
At 4 p.m. (Korean time) on the same day, President Moon held a Korea-EU video summit at the Blue House with Charles Michel, President of the European Council, and Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission. He said, "The world has once again greatly awakened to the importance of the climate environment while experiencing the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), and has felt the rapidly approaching digital era," adding, "I believe that strengthening cooperation in the fields of climate change and the digital economy will be the most important task in preparing for the future together."
This year marks the 10th anniversary of South Korea establishing a 'strategic partnership' with the EU. This was the first meeting with the new EU leadership launched at the end of last year. Although the summit was originally planned to be held in Seoul, due to the COVID-19 situation, the first non-face-to-face summit was held at the EU's proposal.
President Moon evaluated, "The EU is South Korea's largest investment partner and third-largest trading partner," and added, "South Korea is the first country to have signed all three major core agreements with the EU, and the Korea-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA) serves as a pillar of economic cooperation." He emphasized, "Based on the achievements made together over the past 10 years, South Korea will cooperate more firmly and prepare for the post-COVID world together."
Furthermore, President Moon expressed gratitude toward the EU leadership, saying, "We always feel reassured by the unwavering support and encouragement you have given to our government's Korean Peninsula peace process." He said, "Europe's courage to overcome the threat of peace through the creative effort of the European Coal and Steel Community deeply resonates with us who long for peace on the Korean Peninsula," and added, "It is even more meaningful to hold the Korea-EU summit in the year marking the 70th anniversary of the Schuman Declaration." He expressed hope, saying, "Through discussions on bilateral issues and global challenges at today's summit, I hope Korea and the EU will become partners leading peace, prosperity, and coexistence in the future global village."
The European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC) was an international economic organization in the European region established after World War II and served as the foundation for EU integration. It was first proposed in May 1950 by then French Foreign Minister Robert Schuman and marks its 70th anniversary this year. It also served as the motif for the 'East Asia Railway Community' proposed by President Moon in 2018.
President Moon Jae-in is holding a video summit with Charles Michel, President of the European Council, and Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, of the European Union (EU) at the Blue House on the 30th. 2020.6.30 [Image source=Yonhap News]
Meanwhile, starting with this summit, in preparation for an increase in non-face-to-face meetings in the future, the Blue House has established a separate video summit room in the Chungmu Room of the main building. Transparent partitions were installed on both sides of President Moon's seat to block the possibility of infection with accompanying officials, and a large screen was placed in front so that he could face and converse with the counterpart leader. A key Blue House official explained, "Although it is untact, we tried to implement it as realistically as a real summit," adding, "We are trying to lead the way."
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