President Moon holds 1-hour call with French President Macron at his request... "Efforts for equitable distribution of COVID-19 vaccines and treatments"
[Asia Economy Reporter Ryu Jeong-min] French President Emmanuel Macron evaluated that South Korea has made remarkable progress in developing a vaccine for the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19). The leaders of South Korea and France agreed to jointly work towards the equitable distribution of COVID-19 vaccines and treatments.
Kang Min-seok, spokesperson for the Blue House, stated on the 3rd, "President Moon Jae-in had a phone call with French President Emmanuel Macron for one hour starting at 6:30 PM upon Macron's request."
Spokesperson Kang explained, "As agreed by the G20 leaders last November, both leaders decided to work towards the development and equitable distribution of COVID-19 vaccines and treatments. They also agreed to expand cooperation related to vaccination, continuing the close collaboration between the two countries during the COVID-19 response."
In particular, President Macron said, "South Korea's successful response to COVID-19 was impressive," and added, "South Korea is making remarkable progress in developing COVID-19 treatments, and I hope these efforts bear fruit."
President Moon responded, "I am pleased that health cooperation between our two countries to overcome COVID-19 has continued since our last call in March," and said, "I hope that the cooperation between our countries in developing treatments will achieve its intended results and contribute to the global COVID-19 response, not just in South Korea."
Currently, clinical cooperation on treatments is underway between the Pasteur Institute of South Korea and the Pasteur Institute of Senegal, facilitated by France.
The two leaders also agreed to continue cooperating on climate change and environmental issues.
President Moon stated that South Korea is promoting a Korean-style New Deal for sustainable green economic recovery and has declared the '2050 Carbon Neutrality' goal to participate in global climate change efforts. He emphasized that South Korea will actively cooperate with the international community to implement the Paris Climate Agreement, including preparing a Long-term Low Carbon Development Strategy (LEDS) to be submitted to the United Nations within this year.
President Moon said, "I request the participation and interest of France, a leader in climate change, in the P4G summit hosted by our government next year."
President Macron replied, "President Moon has declared the 2050 carbon neutrality goal, and I want to support and back his measures and various activities," adding, "I will actively participate in the P4G summit as well."
President Macron added, "I would like to visit South Korea to further discuss deepening the mutual cooperative relationship with President Moon."
President Moon expressed gratitude for the willingness to visit, saying, "Thank you for expressing your intention to visit. I hope we can meet in Seoul next year after overcoming COVID-19 wisely."
Meanwhile, regarding the situation on the Korean Peninsula, President Moon stated that he will actively cooperate with the new Biden administration in the United States to continue efforts for denuclearization and peace on the Korean Peninsula. President Macron expressed support for stability on the Korean Peninsula.
Spokesperson Kang explained, "Despite the COVID-19 situation, the two leaders evaluated that cooperation between the two countries continues in various fields and agreed to work to deepen practical cooperation in investment, energy, science and technology, among others."
Additionally, President Moon expressed condolences for the murder of a history teacher and the Notre-Dame Basilica attack in Nice, France, which occurred last October, and showed solidarity with the French government's strong stance against violent extremism. President Macron expressed gratitude for the condolences and solidarity, saying, "We share a united will against attacks on the freedoms of democratic societies."
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