1. Foreign Minister Yu Myung-hwan, who is visiting Belgium, met with his Belgian counterpart Steven 
Vanackere on May 11 for discussions on ways to promote the friendly and cooperative relationship 
between the two countries; to expand economic and trade cooperation; and to work together on major 
international issues; and on the current situation of the Korean peninsula and Europe. Meanwhile, in 
a separate meeting with the European Parliament Delegation for the Korean Peninsula, the two sides 
exchanged views on Korea-EU relations and the current situation on the Korean peninsula, including 
the Cheonan incident and the North Korean nuclear issue.

2. Ministers Yu and Vanackere expressed satisfaction with the continuous development of Korea-
Belgium ties in politics, economy, culture and various other fields. Further, appreciating the significance 
of the Korea-EU Framework Agreement for Trade and Cooperation signed on May 10, they agreed to work 
together for an early signing of the Korea-EU FTA.

3. Minister Yu held a luncheon meeting with the European Parliament Delegation for the Korean 
Peninsula. After views were exchanged on the future of Korea-EU ties in the wake of the May 10 
signing of the Korea-EU Framework Agreement, Minister Yu touched on the Cheonan incident, 
the North Korean nuclear issue and the current situation on the Korean peninsula in general. 
The European Parliament delegation responded that it understood the Korean government’s 
position on the North Korean nuclear issue and other Korean peninsula-related issues.

ο Highlighting the need for an early signing of the Korea-EU FTA, following that of the Framework 
Agreement, Minister Yu asked for the European Parliament’s active role and support in this regard. 
In response, the European Parliament Delegation for the Korean Peninsula expressed its willingness 
to cooperate toward the signing and effectuation of the FTA.

4. The visit to Belgium by Minister Yu, with the signing of the Korea-EU Framework Agreement for Trade 
and Cooperation, is seen to have laid the foundation for a strategic partnership between Korea and the 
EU. It is also seen to have served as a good opportunity to help high-ranking EU, NATO and Belgian 
officials better understand the current situation of the Korean peninsula and to win their support on 
Korea’s policies on the Korean peninsula.

                              Spokesperson and Deputy Minister for Public Relations of MOFAT

* unofficial translation