1. On the sidelines of the International Afghanistan Conference held in Bonn on December 5, Foreign 
Minister Kim Sung-Hwan met with EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy 
Catherine Ashton to exchange views on matters of mutual concern, including bilateral relations and 
the situation on the Korean Peninsula.

2. Minister Kim and High Representative Ashton noted with satisfaction that despite worsening economic 
conditions of late, the trade between the Republic of Korea and the EU has been growing thanks to the 
bilateral FTA provisionally effectuated on July 1. They agreed to work more closely together in economy 
and trade to maximize the benefits from the FTA.

3. The two sides concurred to hold high-level political dialogue on a regular basis to develop the bilateral 
strategic partnership forged at the 5th ROK-EU Summit held in Brussels, Belgium, in October 2010, and 
bolster cooperation on human rights and development.

                     Spokesperson and Deputy Minister for Public Relations of MOFAT

* unofficial translation