[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo In-ho] Jeong Eui-yong, Minister of Foreign Affairs, attended the NATO-Partner Countries Joint Foreign Ministers Meeting held in Brussels, Belgium on the 7th (local time) and discussed response measures to the Ukraine situation and other issues.
Foreign Minister Chung Eui-yong is attending the Cabinet meeting held at the Government Seoul Office in Jongno-gu, Seoul on the morning of the 22nd. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the 8th, the meeting was attended by foreign ministers from the 30 NATO member countries, Asia-Pacific partner countries including South Korea, Japan, Australia, and New Zealand, as well as Ukraine, Finland, Sweden, Georgia, and the European Union (EU) High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.
They discussed cooperation measures to address global security challenges and strengthen the international norms-based order.
Minister Jeong stated at the meeting that Russia's invasion of Ukraine is a serious violation of the UN Charter and praised the united efforts of NATO member countries to resolve the Ukraine crisis, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
In particular, Minister Jeong announced that the South Korean government will provide humanitarian aid worth a total of 40 million USD to Ukraine and will consider additional support.
Regarding South Korea's humanitarian aid to Ukraine, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs explained that 10 million USD was provided last month, and 30 million USD is planned to be provided.
Minister Jeong mentioned that South Korea and NATO have cooperated in various fields based on shared values, including stabilization of Afghanistan, and especially appreciated NATO's strong support for South Korea's efforts toward peace on the Korean Peninsula.
Minister Jeong explained the South Korean government's efforts to establish peace on the Korean Peninsula and emphasized the need to continue the peace process to bring North Korea to dialogue.
Additionally, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported that Minister Jeong mentioned that China's rise should be in line with international norms and contribute constructively to global issues.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the NATO Foreign Ministers Meeting, which the South Korean Foreign Minister attended for the first time, is expected to expand the partnership between South Korea and NATO.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also reported that, on the occasion of this meeting, a meeting of senior representatives from five countries including South Korea, four Asia-Pacific partners, and the United States was held.
On that day, Minister Jeong met with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Japanese Foreign Minister Hayashi Yoshimasa, Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne, and New Zealand Ambassador to the EU and NATO Carl Reich, and discussed strengthening the partnership between NATO and the four Asia-Pacific partner countries.
At the five-country senior representatives meeting, Minister Jeong and Secretary Blinken exchanged views on the Korean Peninsula issue and major regional issues.
The two ministers shared assessments of the recent situation on the Korean Peninsula and agreed to continue seamless cooperation between South Korea and the U.S. regarding future response directions, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.
They also shared deep concerns about the prolonged situation of Russia's invasion of Ukraine and agreed to continue close cooperation for the prompt resolution of the Ukraine crisis.
Furthermore, Minister Jeong held a bilateral meeting with Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne and exchanged views on various mutual interests including South Korea-Australia relations, practical cooperation, and the situation on the Korean Peninsula and the region.
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