Joint Press Release After Korea-Italy Summit
Agree to Closely Cooperate on North Korea Denuclearization and Human Rights Improvement
President Yoon Suk-yeol signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) in the fields of industry, space, and science during a summit with Italian President Sergio Mattarella on the 8th.
President Yoon stated this during a joint press announcement immediately following the Korea-Italy summit held at the Yongsan Presidential Office in the afternoon, saying, "I had an in-depth discussion with President Mattarella on ways to advance bilateral relations to a new level." President Mattarella visited Korea on a state visit from the 7th to the 9th at the invitation of President Yoon.
President Yoon Suk-yeol is speaking at the Korea-Italy joint press conference with President Sergio Mattarella held at the Yongsan Presidential Office in Seoul on the 8th. [Photo by Yonhap News]
President Yoon first said, "I welcome the state visit of President Sergio Mattarella of Italy," adding, "Ahead of the 140th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Korea and Italy next year, I am very honored to mark the beginning of a new journey in bilateral relations together with President Mattarella." He also expressed gratitude, saying, "Italy is a grateful ally that opened the 68th Red Cross Hospital in Seoul during the Korean War and treated about 230,000 military personnel and civilian patients."
The two countries have deepened their relationship through milestones such as establishing a 'strategic partnership' in 2018, one million Korean tourists visiting Italy in 2019, and achieving $13.5 billion in annual trade last year.
The MOU signed during the Korea-Italy summit is expected to provide opportunities for industrial and scientific technological development and cooperation between the two countries. President Yoon explained, "Korea and Italy possess excellent manufacturing capabilities and advanced technologies, so the growth potential for trade and investment between the two countries is very high. The Korea-Italy MOU on industrial cooperation signed today will serve as a foundation to promote next-generation industrial cooperation between the two countries."
He continued, "President Mattarella and I agreed to strengthen cooperation in advanced technologies such as hydrogen and artificial intelligence, as well as in the space sector," emphasizing, "The Korea-Italy MOU on space cooperation signed today will expand the horizons of bilateral space collaboration." He also added, "The Korea Institute for Basic Science and Italy’s National Institute for Nuclear Physics have signed an MOU to expand joint research in basic science."
They also agreed to continue coordination on major regional and global issues. President Yoon stated, "North Korea’s nuclear and missile development is a serious threat to international security beyond the Korean Peninsula and a clear violation of UN Security Council resolutions," adding, "We will continue to closely cooperate to promote North Korea’s denuclearization and improvement of human rights issues." He also mentioned supporting and standing in solidarity with international efforts to end the war in Ukraine and restore peace, saying, "President Mattarella and I confirmed that the security of the Indo-Pacific region and Europe are inseparable, and as members of this solidarity, we will further strengthen mutual cooperation."
He particularly emphasized, "Italy is a key member of the European Union and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), and as the chair of the Group of Seven (G7) next year, it is leading efforts to address global issues," adding, "Korea, as a global pivotal state, will closely cooperate with Italy to promote peace and prosperity in the international community."
President Yoon also welcomed the proclamation of 2024?2025 as the Korea-Italy Year of Mutual Cultural Exchange in celebration of the 140th anniversary of diplomatic relations next year, expressing hope that "the friendship between Korea and Italy through culture will deepen even further." He said, "Both Korea and Italy inspire people through their high levels of culture and arts. I hope that cultural and artistic exchanges between the two countries will become more active and that we will create new cultural values together as a result of today’s summit."
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