ID :
211022
Tue, 10/04/2011 - 10:01
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/211022
The shortlink copeid
(LEAD) S. Korean, Belgian FMs agree on closer cooperation
(ATTN: UPDATES throughout with results of talks, quote; AMENDS headline; ADDS photo)
SEOUL, Oct. 4 (Yonhap) -- The foreign ministers of South Korea and Belgium agreed to forge closer cooperation in economic sectors as well as on regional and global issues, Seoul officials said Tuesday.
Belgian Foreign Minister Steven Vanackere held talks with South Korean Foreign Minister Kim Sung-hwan earlier in the day after arriving in Seoul on Monday for a three-day visit that includes meetings with Trade Minister Kim Jong-hoon and Unification Minister Yu Woo-ik.
The foreign ministers "agreed to work closely together to help further promote bilateral economic and trade cooperation in the wake of the effectuation of the Korea-EU FTA," Seoul's foreign ministry said in a statement.
The FTA took effect on July 1 this year, bringing together South Korea, Asia's fourth-largest economy, with the 27-member EU, the world's largest economic bloc.
Two-way trade between South Korea and Belgium stood at US$3.17 billion last year, according to the ministry.
Kim and Vanackere also discussed a wide range of bilateral and global issues, including the political situation on the Korean Peninsula and in the Middle East, nuclear security and development cooperation, ministry spokesman Cho Byung-jae said earlier in the day.
Vanackere visited South Korea for the first time since taking office in November 2009. This year marks the 110th anniversary of South Korea and Belgium establishing bilateral diplomatic relations.
kdh@yna.co.kr
(END)
SEOUL, Oct. 4 (Yonhap) -- The foreign ministers of South Korea and Belgium agreed to forge closer cooperation in economic sectors as well as on regional and global issues, Seoul officials said Tuesday.
Belgian Foreign Minister Steven Vanackere held talks with South Korean Foreign Minister Kim Sung-hwan earlier in the day after arriving in Seoul on Monday for a three-day visit that includes meetings with Trade Minister Kim Jong-hoon and Unification Minister Yu Woo-ik.
The foreign ministers "agreed to work closely together to help further promote bilateral economic and trade cooperation in the wake of the effectuation of the Korea-EU FTA," Seoul's foreign ministry said in a statement.
The FTA took effect on July 1 this year, bringing together South Korea, Asia's fourth-largest economy, with the 27-member EU, the world's largest economic bloc.
Two-way trade between South Korea and Belgium stood at US$3.17 billion last year, according to the ministry.
Kim and Vanackere also discussed a wide range of bilateral and global issues, including the political situation on the Korean Peninsula and in the Middle East, nuclear security and development cooperation, ministry spokesman Cho Byung-jae said earlier in the day.
Vanackere visited South Korea for the first time since taking office in November 2009. This year marks the 110th anniversary of South Korea and Belgium establishing bilateral diplomatic relations.
kdh@yna.co.kr
(END)
