Brussels, 05/05/2015 (Agence Europe) - On Monday 4 May, the European Union and South Korea agreed to strengthen their cooperation in the areas of defence and security in order to deal better with regional and global challenges.
The agreement was made at a meeting between South Korea's Defence Minister Han Min-koo and High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini, who was in South Korea on Monday 4 and Tuesday 5 May. “The two parties explored ways to work together in a practical way in the areas of defence and security, while assessing their partnership on crisis management” which was signed in May 2014, said South Korea's defence minister in a press release quoted by local media.
Seoul and the EU have thus reportedly decided to join forces to help preserve peace in the most dangerous regions of the world and to fight against natural disasters and piracy. In May 2014, the EU and South Korea signed a framework agreement on South Korea's participation in the EU's crisis management operations. The procedures are currently under way for its ratification at the Korean Parliament. According to South Korea's foreign minister, Mogherini stressed that the EU's choice of South Korea as the first Asian country for concluding such an agreement apparently showed South Korea's great strategic value for the international community.
An initial consultative meeting on defence policies is planned for the second half of 2015. According to the Korean minister, this meeting will be the opportunity to exchange opinions on “issues of mutual interest, sharing information and strengthening capacities to respond to common challenges”.
During another meeting, South Korea' Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se asked the EU to make its support active and asked for the EU's cooperation as part of the South Korean government's framework initiative for peaceful unification with North Korea. He wanted the EU to contribute to the initiative for cooperation and peace in North East Asia which aims to promote dialogue and cooperation in the region. This was promised to him by Mogherini.
Mogherini and Yun also decided to work more closely, particularly via the United Nations, on issues such as the situations in North Asia, Ukraine and the Middle East, and on the Iranian nuclear programme negotiations. The fight against Islamic State, sustainable development, climate change and cyber-security were also mentioned as areas where cooperation could be strengthened.
Asked by EUROPE for confirmation of the Korean news and additional news, the European External Action Service (EEAS) was unable to respond by the time of EUROPE going to press. (Camille-Cerise Gessant)