Brussels / Copenhagen, 25/09/2002 (Agence Europe) - On the occasion of the first Summit between the Union and South Korea, held in Copenhagen on Tuesday, the European leaders paid tribute to President Kim Dae-Jung for his efforts and commitment in pacifying and rendering safe the Peninsula through conciliation and co-operation, especially welcoming the launch of work on the "iron and silk road" between the two Koreas. Economically, the partnership that took off following the conclusion of a co-operation agreement in April 2001, is to strengthen, a joint statement published at the end of the meeting, underpins.
European Commission President Romano Prodi and Danish Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen confirmed that the Union would maintain its commitment to the peace process between Pyongyang and Seoul, also welcoming the North Korean plan to create a special economic area on the Chinese border that would make of the peripheral city of Sinuiju a duty-free area. Mr. Rasmussen said he was convinced that "in the not too distant future, we shall consider North Korea as a responsible member of the international community". "Even hell has an end", President Prodi agreed. Shortly afterwards, President Kim declared, on arrival in Seoul: "If North Korea abandons its weapons of mass destruction and goes for reform and international co-operation, peace in North East Asia and between the Koreas will progress dramatically".
Commercially-speaking, the Europeans and Koreans say they are "resolute" in deepening and extending the partnership and share the same "desire" to contribute to the success of the Doha Negotiating Round. But the joint text overlooks their dispute over State aid to shipyards and the manufacturers of electronic chips, and the final press conference was held in the absence of Korean representatives. On that occasion, President Prodi clarified matters. "There was no great movement in our respective stances", but the meeting being held in Brussels on Tuesday and Wednesday could allow for progress, he considered, while renewing his warning to Seoul: "without agreement, we shall take action" that "will not aim at the dumping chapter but State aid, in compliance with the rules of the World Trade Organisation (WTO)". As for the presumed subsidies to manufacturers of electronic chips in distress, South Korea objects. In a letter to the European Commission, the Korean authorities stress that the aid in question does not contradict the WTO anti-subsidy code.