Brussels, 11/10/2000 (Agence Europe) - The General Affairs Council indicated, in the conclusions adopted this week, that the EU is considering reinforcing its relations with North Korea in order to support the process of rapprochement between the two Koreas. The Council adds that:
"The inter-Korean summit in Pyongyang was welcomed by the EU as a success of which it was awaiting the future assessment of results. In line with the Council conclusions of 19 July 1999 on the Korean peninsula, the EU hopes today to demonstrate its desire to encourage the Democratic People's Republic of Korea to continue the inter-Korean reconciliation process as well as the dialogue and the negotiation with the various parties speaking in the talks aiming to ensure stability and security in the Korean peninsula. The EU is thus considering implementing, in the short-term, the following measures, without prejudice of support to the Kedo (in the framework of the present negotiations) and the maintaining of structural food and humanitarian aid: - reinforcing the political dialogue which enables, both, to better understand the views of the DPRK, in particular in the context of the present development, and to underline the concerns and expectations of the EU. The next session of the political dialogue could this take place in the form of a Troika to Pyongyang, at the Asia Directors level; - increase the access of the DPRK to the experience acquired in the field of confidence building measures, through the organisation of seminars and visits to the pertinent European institutions and through the promotion of cooperation with the DPRK within the ARF; implementation of preparatory measures notably by the Commission (feasibility studies, identification missions) aiming for possible technical assistance actions in the medium-term in the priority sectors. These measures correspond with the European Union's aim of promoting positive changes, in particular to the benefit of the poorest people, including in economic terms; - examine the possibilities for improving access for the DPRK to the European market.
The implementation of these measure will be the object of regular assessment. In relation to the results found as well as the progress achieved by the DPRK in the taking into account of the EU's concerns outlined, notably in July 1999, additional measures could be considered".
This new European political line should be confirmed during the ASEM Summit next 20 and 21 October, in Seoul. The rapprochement of the two Koreas will be one of the main themes of the Summit, following which will be published a "declaration from the Presidency" specifically dedicated to this subject.