Seo Wook Meets with EU Ambassador to Korea... Discusses Cooperation on Cheonghae Unit Anti-Piracy Operations

[Asia Economy Yang Nak-gyu, Military Specialist Reporter]On the 3rd, Seo Wook, Minister of National Defense, met with Maria Castillo Fernandez, Ambassador of the European Union (EU) to Korea, and exchanged views on ways to strengthen Korea-EU cooperation and regional security situations.

The Minister Seo and Ambassador Fernandez discussed the EU's anti-piracy operations cooperation with the Cheonghae Unit, which is active mainly in the Gulf of Aden, and the holding of Korea-EU defense and security dialogues, the Ministry of National Defense announced.

In addition, they agreed to actively promote practical defense exchange cooperation, including high-level military exchanges between the two sides delayed due to the COVID-19 situation, within this year.

Minister Seo evaluated that since Korea and the EU established a strategic partnership in 2010, bilateral cooperation as well as cooperation on global issues has expanded, and expressed hope that the strategic cooperation between the two sides will become stronger.

In response, Ambassador Fernandez said, "I have a greater interest in the Korean Peninsula issue than anyone else," and added, "During my tenure, I will do my best to practically develop cooperation between the two sides and enable the EU to contribute to building peace on the Korean Peninsula."

Minister Seo expressed expectations for active interest and participation from the EU side in the Seoul Defense Dialogue (SDD) and the ministerial-level United Nations Peacekeeping meeting scheduled for the second half of this year.

Ambassador Fernandez said, "If multilateral cooperation issues are discussed at the Seoul Defense Dialogue, it will be a very timely topic," and added, "I will actively support the successful hosting of the ministerial-level United Nations Peacekeeping meeting to be held in Seoul," the Ministry of National Defense reported.