Korea and Romania have agreed to join hands on the North Korean nuclear and missile weapons problem, with the understanding that such provocations are a grave threat to peace and security across the international community.

Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se made an official visit to Bucharest from Feb. 19 to 21, and held bilateral talks with his Romanian counterpart, Teodor Melescanu, to discuss measures to strengthen sanctions on North Korea and to expand the scope of their strategic alliance.

Minister Yun commended Romania for its official statement condemning North Korea's Feb. 12 ballistic missile launch, and for implementing all obligations and commitments under U.N. Security Council (UNSC) resolutions. "Romania is an example of a country that successfully made the transition back toward democracy, offering a preview of reunification on the Korean Peninsula," said the minister.

"Romania strongly condemns North Korea's flagrant disregard for the standards set by the international community, as it continues to develop its nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles, despite multiple sanctions," said Minister Melescanu. "Our country, together with the European Union, will cooperate on implementing all provisions of the relevant UNSC resolutions."

In addition to cooperation on the North Korean weapons problem, the two nations discussed the scope of their strategic and collaborative relationship and the state of affairs in their regions and across the world at large. The two countries agreed to expand cooperation on automobile production, healthcare and transportation infrastructure, as well as the environment and energy.

The two top diplomats agreed that they should cooperate on the arts, culture and education to bridge the gap between generations, and signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to map out concrete plans to execute projects in all of the above fields.

By Lee Hana
Korea.net Staff Writer
Photo: Ministry of Foreign Affairs
hlee10@korea.kr