On March 22, Foreign Minister Yu Myung-hwan met with Jiri Dienstbier, head of the Czech Senate's Committee on Foreign and Security Policy visiting Korea in his capacity as special envoy of the Czech Foreign Minister. In the meeting, the two sides exchanged views on matters of mutual interest, including the 20th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations, Korea-EU relationship, and current situation on the Korean peninsula.
Welcoming the Korean visit by the special envoy, one of the signees of the protocol on the establishment of Korea-Czech diplomatic relations on March 22, 1990, Minister Yu noted with satisfaction that the relationship between the two countries has since then developed into a close, friendly and cooperative one in a wide range of areas.
Minister Yu requested that the Czech government take an interest in and help Korean firms enter and boost investment in Czech, one of the core countries in Central Europe. Further, he requested the Czech government participate in the 2012 World Expo in Yeosu and extend cooperation for the signing and effectuation of the Korea-EU FTA and Framework Agreement for Trade and Cooperation.
Expressing satisfaction with the current strong Korea-Czech ties, special envoy Dienstbier voiced hope for strengthened substantive cooperation with Czech that boasts a long tradition as an industry powerhouse. He delivered Czech Foreign Minister Jan Kohout’s letter to Minister Yu celebrating the 20th diplomatic anniversary.
In the said letter, Foreign Minister Kohout took note of bolstered cooperation between Korea and Czech in politics, economy, culture and various other sectors, while hoping for a further increase in substantive cooperation in trade, energy, food industry, culture, tourism, and student exchange. He also expressed an expectation for the two countries to work together on such global issues as the stabilization of Afghanistan and Haiti, and development assistance.
