First Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Kim Hong Kyun on Feb. 28 hosts a luncheon meeting with European Union ambassadors to Korea at his ministry headquarters in Seoul's Jongno-gu District. (Ministry of Foreign Affairs)

By Margareth Theresia 

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the European Union (EU) have reaffirmed their commitment to reinforcing bilateral relations and cooperation on the international stage.

First Vice Minister Kim Hong-kyun on Feb. 28 hosted a working-level luncheon for an EU delegation to broadly discuss global issues including developments since the inauguration of the Trump administration in the U.S., war in Ukraine, military cooperation between Russia and North Korea, and key geopolitical situations in the Indo-Pacific region.

The delegation comprised the EU ambassador to Korea and ambassadors or heads of mission from 25 EU member states.

"This year is meaningful as it marks the 15th anniversary of the Korea-EU strategic partnership," Vice Minister Kim said. "Korea and the EU last year adopted a security and defense partnership to seek joint responses to global security challenges."

"Going forward, we will continue expanding cooperation in various fields like advanced technology, the defense industry and energy."

He said, "The recent opening of new permanent diplomatic missions in the four countries of Estonia, Lithuania, Luxembourg and Slovenia will make economic, cultural and human exchange networks with Europe more active."

"The country's domestic situation is being stably managed and our government is smoothly performing its duties in all sectors," he added. "Based on universal values, we will keep raising cooperative ties with EU member countries."

In response, the EU delegation said that as a trustworthy partner of Korea, the EU will continue exchanges at all levels and further raise cooperation in bilateral relations and on the international stage.

The EU hopes to continue close bilateral communication, it added, reaffirming confidence in the resilience of Korea's democracy.

margareth@korea.kr