Dr. Si-hong KIM, President of the Korean Society for the Contemporary European Studies,
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and gentlemen,

Allow me to begin by extending my sincere gratitude to the Korean Society for the Contemporary European Studies(KSCES) for organizing this International Conference on “Korea-Europe Relations after the FTA.” As Director-General for European Affairs, it is a great pleasure and honor for me to be here as the keynote speaker to open this meaningful Conference.

I would like to express my deep appreciation to the members of the KSCES for their efforts to expand the Korean society’s understanding of Europe and the European Union and to promote the bonds of academic circles between Korea and Europe. There is no doubt that without your constant interest and passion for European studies, Korea would not have been able to form the current good relationship with the EU.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I would like to start my speech with a brief assessment of the transformation of Europe from a historical perspective. After the end of the Second World War, movements toward European integration were desired by many countries, especially neighboring countries such as Germany, France, Italy, Luxembourg, Belgium and the Netherlands. To these countries, integration signified an escape from the extreme forms of ideology, especially nationalism that previously devastated the region.

From its first attempt to unite in 1951 by establishing the European Coal and Steel Community(ECSC), to the ratification of the Treaty of Lisbon that was entered into force on December 1st this year, Europe has undergone enormous changes in its integration process.

It is important to note that the transformation of the European Union is not simply a matter of the increased number of member states from 6 to 27, but the internal consolidation of the Union to limit each country’s sovereignty, the hallmark of a modern nation-state, in favor of collective peace, economic integration and supranational governance.

Furthermore, the EU is not preoccupied with defining its boundaries but lays focus on its vision to spread the values of democracy, human rights, rule of law, and peace and stability in the world.

Against this backdrop, I would like to talk about the relationship between Korea and the EU. Since establishing diplomatic ties in 1963, Korea and the EU have steadily developed relations based on democracy and market economy. In particular, Korea concluded the FTA negotiations with the EU in July 2009 and initialed the Agreement on October 15. The Free Trade Agreement between Korea and the EU is a comprehensive agreement incorporating all industries. It is also widely expected to create new market access in services and investment as well as enable major advances to be made in areas such as intellectual property, procurement, competition policy and trade and sustainable development.

Along with the FTA, Korea and EU also initialed the revised Framework Agreement for Trade and Cooperation on October 14. This revised Agreement is expected to present a new direction and vision for the development of Korea-EU relations, laying a legal and institutional foundation for Korea and the EU, as equal partners, to strengthen cooperation on the regional and global levels. In this regard, I want to draw your attention to the fact that with the revised Framework Agreement, bilateral cooperation will be deepened between Korea and the EU by expanding cooperation to more than 40 areas, including the efforts for political cooperation, home and judicial affairs.
Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is my sincere hope that these two Agreements will be signed and will enter into force within the coming year. Both Agreements will surely provide an important framework for Korea-EU relations to be strengthened and enhanced. In this regard, I would like to remind you that during the Korea-EU Summit held in Seoul this May, the leaders of Korea and the EU shared their hopes of elevating the Korea-EU relationship to a strategic partnership, based on these two Agreements.

To heighten the bilateral ties to a strategic partnership, considerable preparation is required in all fields. In this regard, if we are to remain satisfied with only maintaining the present relationship, and fail to exert greater efforts for its future, no one can say the relationship will continue to be the same. The growing ties between Korea and the EU have expanded beyond our governments and are evolving on their own. It is time for not only scholars but experts in respective fields of our society to contribute to the future of Korea-EU relations.

In this regard, I want to emphasize that political and economic cooperation should be based on the public awareness in both Korea and the EU. Even though it has been over four decades since Korea and the EU established diplomatic relationship, we easily notice that the level of exposure on both sides is still very low. Unless the relationship grows beyond the political and economic realms, this situation will most likely continue and eventually reach its limits. Thus, it is imperative for Korea and the EU to develop broader cooperation and elevate the level of public awareness.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Finally, I would like to once again express my deep appreciation to the KSCES for organizing this important conference. I look forward to the in-dept discussions on a variety of issues related to Korea and the EU. Furthermore, I am sure that such conferences and events will be an opportunity to help the Korean people to better understand the EU.

With that said, let me step down to give the floor to you for more exciting academic exchanges and the cultivation of new and stronger friendships on this special occasion.

Thank you.

/END/