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Foreign Minister Attends the 10th ASEM Foreign Ministers’ Meeting |
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Foreign Minister Kim Sung-Hwan attended the 10th ASEM Foreign Ministers’ Meeting held in Budapest June 6-7 under the theme “Working Together on Non-Traditional Security Challenges”.
The Meeting was attended by the (acting) Foreign Ministers of the 48 ASEM member states, including the Republic of Korea.
On June 6, the 1st day of the Meeting, Minister Kim attended the working luncheon (on regional situation), and the 1st and 2nd plenary sessions.
In the working luncheon on regional situation, Minister Kim expressed the Korean government’s firm stance toward a series of provocative actions by North Korea, including its nuclear tests, torpedoing of the Cheonan, shelling of Yeonpyeong Island and disclosure of uranium enrichment facilities.
Highlighting the Korean government’s willingness for dialogue with the North, he urged the North to accept the South Korean government’s overtures for inter-Korean dialogue, including denuclearization talks.
In this regard, many of the participating countries voiced concern over North Korea’s nuclear development in violation of international norms and supported the South Korean government’s position.
Aside from this issue, Minister Kim, together with other participating Foreign Ministers, exchanged views on major regional issues, such as the Iranian nuclear issue, Middle East peace negotiations and Afghanistan.
In his leading remarks delivered during the 1st and 2nd sessions on “Non-traditional Security Challenges and Global Issues,” Minister Kim explained the Korean government’s green-growth policy as a policy initiative to combat climate change and achieve economic growth at the same time.
Furthermore, underscoring the policy as a substantive way of building a planet-responsible civilization, he urged Asia and Europe to work together in spreading the green growth model.
Minister Kim, together with the other participating Ministers, engaged in in-depth discussions on a wide range of issues facing the international community, including non-traditional security challenges, natural disasters and their management, nuclear-plant safety, terrorism, piracy, climate change, the global economic crisis, UN reform and human rights.
In the morning of June 7, the 2nd day of the Meeting, Minister Kim attended the 3rd and 4th plenary sessions under the respective themes of “Global Issues” and “World Economy and Overcoming Financial Crisis/The Future of ASEM.”
In the meeting, Minister Kim discussed various global challenges such as overcoming the global financial crisis, development, UN reform, and human rights issues. He also exchanged thoughts with other participating Ministers on ASEM’s future development directions, including ASEM’s possible expansion.
In the afternoon, the 10th ASEM Foreign Minister’s Meeting concluded its two-day schedule with the adoption of a presidential statement that reflected the stances of member countries expressed on the issues discussed during the meeting.
Korea achieved substantive outcomes through its participation in the meeting as outlined below.
o Solidifying ASEM member countries’ support in achieving peace on the Korean peninsula, and resolving the North Korean issues including its nuclear development
o Promoting Korea’s “green growth” policy and affirming Korea’s commitment to contribute to green growth
o Stressing the importance of implementing the “G20 Seoul Development Consensus,” adopted in the G20 Seoul Summit
o Highlighting the importance of the 4th High Level Forum on Aid Effectiveness to be held in Busan
o Strengthening policy coordination with major ASEM member countries on various diplomatic issues such as non-traditional security challenges, global financial crisis, sustainable development, as well as other global issues
o Providing explanations on collaborative projects of ASEM initiated by Korea, such as ASEM DUO Scholarship project, ASEM SME Eco-Innovation Center, Trans-Eurasia Information Network Cooperation Center, and the 12th ASEM unofficial seminar on human rights; and ratifying new collaborative projects, such as the 3rd ASEM Forum on Trade and Investment in Marine Fisheries, scheduled for November 16-18 in Busan
THE 10TH ASEM FOREIGN MINISTERS’ MEETING CHAIRS’ STATEMENT
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