President Moon: "Korea and the EU Are Optimal Partners for Mutual Cooperation"

President Moon holds talks with Charles Michel, President of the European Council... "Now, expanding vaccinations is more important than quarantine"

[Asia Economy Reporter Ryu Jeong-min] On the 12th (local time), President Moon Jae-in held talks with Charles Michel, President of the European Council, and Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, in Cornwall, UK, exchanging views on overcoming COVID-19, cooperation on climate change and the environment, and bilateral trade.

In particular, President Moon emphasized, "Korea and the EU will be the optimal partners to achieve mutually beneficial cooperation." He said, "The EU has excellent capabilities in low-carbon economy and renewable energy, and Korea has strengths in hydrogen vehicles, electric vehicles, energy storage devices, batteries, and the hydrogen economy, so Korea and the EU can create synergy effects."

The response to COVID-19 was also a main focus of the summit that day. President Moon stated, "Now, beyond quarantine measures, expanding vaccination is important, and there is a need to smoothly and fairly increase supply to developing countries."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

President Moon added, "To this end, we must combine Europe's leading capabilities in vaccine development with Korea's excellent production capacity to expand vaccine production bases," and "Korea will faithfully fulfill its role as a global vaccine hub and contribute to strengthening global health governance."

Furthermore, President Moon and the EU leaders exchanged warm words regarding the P4G summit held in Seoul. President Moon said, "I appreciate the EU's participation in the P4G summit," and "The EU is a strategic partner that shares universal human values and has enhanced mutual interests in various fields."

President Moon explained, "The EU is leading the post-COVID era through the ‘European Green Deal’ and the ‘2030 Digital Targets,’ and Korea is also advancing the Green New Deal and Digital New Deal, moving toward the same goals."

Meanwhile, President Moon requested that the EU Council President and Commission President visit Korea at an appropriate time in the second half of this year, and the EU leaders accepted the invitation to visit Korea while expressing their gratitude.