The European Union (EU) presidential special envoy delegation, visiting Brussels, Belgium, met with Antonio Costa, President of the European Council, and delivered a personal letter containing a message from President Lee Jaemyung. President Costa expressed hope that a Korea-EU summit would be convened as soon as possible.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on July 17, the EU special envoy delegation, led by former Environment Minister Yoon Yeojoon, visited the EU Council and the European Parliament in Brussels, Belgium, on July 15 (local time) and held meetings with key officials. The delegation included lawmakers Jun Hyunhee and Son Myungsoo from the Democratic Party of Korea.
The personal letter delivered by the delegation to President Costa reportedly contained President Lee's message on strengthening Korea-EU relations. The delegation explained the significance of the launch of the new government and the restoration of democracy in Korea, and expressed the government's commitment to advancing the "Korea-EU Strategic Partnership," which marks its 15th anniversary this year. In particular, both sides agreed to further strengthen practical cooperation in key areas, including advanced science and technology such as artificial intelligence (AI), as well as global issues such as the climate crisis.
President Costa welcomed the visit of the first special envoy delegation from Korea's new government, and praised Korea for swiftly overcoming its political crisis and restoring democracy through the power of its people. In response to the delegation's explanation that Korea would resolutely respond to North Korea's nuclear and missile provocations in cooperation with the international community, while also seeking to resume severed inter-Korean communication and pursue dialogue and cooperation, President Costa stated, "The EU strongly supports the Korean government's related efforts."
Meanwhile, during this visit, the delegation met with key EU officials to explain the significance of the recent Korean presidential election results, as well as the new government's governing philosophy and foreign policy.
On the following day, July 16, the delegation met with Christel Schaldemose, Vice President of the European Parliament, to explain the new government's foreign policy direction and discuss ways to strengthen the Korea-EU strategic partnership. Vice President Schaldemose welcomed the delegation's visit to the EU and agreed to expand cooperation in various fields, including revitalizing exchanges between the two parliaments.
This dispatch of the EU special envoy delegation is the first to take place under the Lee Jaemyung administration.
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