By Lee Hana
President Moon Jae-in on June 30 held a summit via videoconferencing with European Council President Charles Michel and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
With this year marking the tenth anniversary of the strategic partnership between Korea and the European Union (EU), President Moon said, "Based on the achievements we have accomplished together over the past decade, Korea will cooperate even more closely and join forces in preparing for the post-COVID-19 world."
This was the first summit between Korea and the EU since the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic earlier this year.
"In the course of responding to COVID-19, the world has once again experienced a great awakening with regards to the significance of climate issues and the environment, and has felt the force of the rapidly advancing digital age. I believe that strengthening cooperation on climate change and the digital economy is of paramount importance as we prepare for the future together," President Moon said.
He also hailed the new EU leadership for being at the forefront of taking on global climate and environmental issues through the European Green Deal policy, adding that he hopes the EU will serve as an important partner for the Moon administration's Green New Deal.
The two EU leaders lauded the Korean government's "effective response" to the pandemic through "rapid, transparent and innovative measures." They also assessed how bilateral relations have deepened and developed based on three major agreements on political relations and sectoral cooperation, free trade and cooperation in crisis management.
Marking a decade of their strategic partnership, President Moon and the two EU leaders agreed to expand cooperation in areas such as economy and trade, digitization, the environment and energy in a mutually beneficial and future-oriented way.
They also agreed that establishing peace on the Korean Peninsula and developing inter-Korean relations are important not only for both Koreas and Northeast Asia, but for global peace and stability, pledging to work together on this issue.
With Seoul set to host next year the second Partnering for Green Growth and the Global Goals 2030 (P4G) Summit, President Moon asked for the EU's active participation in this event.
hlee10@korea.kr