"If the first phase goes well, cooperation will continue"
Mutual benefits upon resolving legal disputes between Hansuwon and Westinghouse
President Yoon Suk-yeol and his wife Kim Keon-hee are toasting with Czech President Petr Pavel and his spouse at the official dinner held at Prague Castle, Czech Republic, on the 19th (local time). [Image source=Yonhap News]
President Petr Pavel of the Czech Republic stated on the 20th regarding nuclear power cooperation with Korea, "We still consider Korea's proposal to be the best by all evaluation criteria," and added, "I believe there is a high possibility of expanding not only the Dukovany project but also to other European countries, especially Central and Eastern European countries."
In an interview with Arirang TV released that day, President Pavel said, "Korea was selected as the best choice based on various evaluation criteria."
President Pavel emphasized, "We are closely monitoring the ongoing legal dispute between Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power and Westinghouse and hope that this dispute will be resolved successfully," adding, "If the legal dispute between KHNP and Westinghouse is resolved, it will be mutually beneficial for both parties."
Regarding KHNP's nuclear power plant orders, he said, "Of course, it depends on the success of the first contract, but if the first phase proceeds well, the possibility of continuing cooperation with the same partner is very high."
He particularly mentioned the diverse areas of cooperation between Korea and the Czech Republic and the likelihood of more specific projects progressing in the future. President Pavel said, "We are looking for partners to cooperate with Korean companies in various industrial sectors, and active tourism and cultural exchanges are also taking place between the two countries," adding, "I believe there is potential to develop broader cooperation in advanced technology, energy?especially nuclear and renewable energy?automotive industry, semiconductors, and other fields."
President Yoon Suk-yeol is having a conversation with Czech President Petr Pavel after the official welcoming ceremony at Prague Castle, Czech Republic, on the 19th (local time). [Image source=Yonhap News]
President Pavel explained, "We regard Korea as part of the family of democratic countries," and "We are not just economic partners. We also have partnerships in tourism and culture, and cooperate as partners within the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)."
He mentioned, "Korea shares security interests as a NATO partner," and stated, "Countries like Russia, China, and North Korea pose challenges to all of us, and the more we cooperate, the safer our citizens will be and the better our economic situation will become."
He continued, "The Czech Republic and Korea play very important similar roles," emphasizing, "On this basis, we can strengthen mutual cooperation and expand consultations to better understand our regional situations."
Finally, President Pavel spoke about President Yoon, saying, "I always feel great joy when I meet someone with whom I can talk without prejudice and who shares a very similar worldview," adding, "I am pleased that we can freely discuss various challenges and issues faced around the world, and we share a sense of responsibility not only to promote the interests of our respective countries but also to the broader family of democratic nations."
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