President Park Geun-hye will pay an official visit to Italy from October 14 to 17 and attend the 10th Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) in Milan.

The ASEM summit, scheduled for October 16 and 17, is organized by the European Union and Italy, which holds the EU presidency in the second half of 2014. Top officials who will be present at the meeting include 49 heads of state from Asia and Europe, the European Council president, the EU commissioner and the secretary general of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).


At the summit, the heads of state from Asia and Europe plan to discuss issues regarding their "Responsible Partnership for Sustainable Growth and Security” and other items of mutual interest. President Park will explain the Korean government's vision on the development of connectivity between Europe and Asia.

After attending the summit, President Park will officially visit Italy on October 17 at the invitation of Italian President Giorgio Napolitano. The two sides are expected to discuss further developing their bilateral relationship, promoting the creative industries through the convergence of the arts, science and technology, and potential cooperation in the areas of small- and medium-sized enterprises and energy.

President Park will then hold a summit with Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi. They intend to discuss the convergence of design and information technology, strengthening actual cooperation in science and technology, mutual cooperation in the international arena and the regional state of affairs, including issues regarding the Korean Peninsula. President Park will also meet with Pope Francis before her official visit to Italy, complementing the pope's visit to Korea in August.

By Limb Jae-un
Korea.net Staff Writer
jun2@korea.kr