1. A Korea-Greece High-Level Policy Consultation was held in Athens on July 5 with Deputy Minister for 
Political Affairs Lee Yong-joon and his Greek counterpart Spyros Kouvelis as the top delegates of the 
two countries.

2. In the meeting, the two sides discussed in depth ways to vitalize high-level officials’ exchange; 
promote trade and investment; cooperate in the shipbuilding and transportation fields; enter 
international organizations; and bolster Korea-EU cooperation. They also had a broad exchange 
of views on major regional and international issues, including the current situation on the Korean 
peninsula, the Iranian nuclear issue, and support for Afghanistan.

3. With this year marking the 60th year after the start of the Korean War, Deputy Minister Lee extended 
gratitude to Greece for its contribution and devotion shown by its deployment of the 6th-largest number 
of troops among all the UN member states that fought alongside Korea in the War. Further, he took note 
of Greece’s issuance of a statement strongly condemning North Korea over the recent sinking of the 
Cheonan. Meanwhile, Deputy Minister Kouvelis reaffirmed strong support and cooperation of the Greek 
government over Korean peninsula-related issues.

4. Requested by the Korean side to participate in the Expo 2012 in Yeosu, the Greek delegation 
responded that it will be positively considered. Also, the Greek side highly expected Korean flag 
carriers to launch direct flights to Greece as a way to boost exchange between the two countries.

5. The two sides agreed on the following: working to enhance the Korea-Greece relationship in 
various fields, including high-level officials’ exchange, on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of 
the establishment of diplomatic relations in 2011; convening a Korea-Greece joint economic 
committee at an early date based on the Economic Cooperation Agreement that passed the Greek 
Parliament on June 29, and thereby bolstering substantive cooperation between the two countries; 
and working together to narrow the trade imbalance stemming from Greece’s large-scale imports 
of Korean vessels.

6. The latest Korea-Greece High-Level Policy Consultation, held in the 60th year since the outbreak of 
the Korean War and ahead of the 50th anniversary of Korea-Greece diplomatic relations in 2011, is seen 
to have served as a valuable opportunity for an overall review of bilateral relations and for a discussion on 
ways for cooperation in the years to come. In 2009 alone, Korea delivered US$2.8 billion worth of ships to 
Greece, the world’s top shipping country and the largest importer of Korean vessels.

                          Spokesperson and Deputy Minister for Public Relations of MOFAT

* unofficial translation