Foreign Minister Yu Myung-hwan met with his Belgian counterpart Karel De Gucht on May 8 and held an in-depth discussion on bilateral issues such as promotion of substantive cooperation and cultural exchange, the situation on the Korean peninsula and EU, and major international issues. Belgian Foreign Minister De Gucht visited Korea on May 8-9 accompanying the Belgian Crown Prince Philippe.

The two foreign ministers expressed satisfaction with the close and amicable cooperative relations between Korea and Belgium since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1901. They shared the view that building on the visit by Belgium’s Crown Prince and many business leaders, the two countries will continue deepening bilateral relations, while working together to invigorate cultural exchange, in particular.

Foreign Minister Yu requested that Belgium, the EU Chair for the latter half of 2010, play an active role in the successful conclusion of negotiations for both the Korea-EU Free Trade Agreement and a revised Korea-EU Framework Agreement. Meanwhile, stressing the importance of the said negotiations, Minister De Gucht shared the view that the two countries should make joint efforts.

When requested by Minister De Gucht for Korea’s interest in and support for the success of the 2010 ASEM Summit in Belgium, Minister Yu responded that the Asian Coordinator Korea will cooperate in earnest.

While exchanging views on the situation on the Korean peninsula, Northeast Asia and the EU, the two foreign ministers agreed to bolster cooperation on international issues including overcoming the global financial crisis, climate change and energy security.