1. The Foreign Ministry, in a bid to enhance mutual understanding, friendship and cooperation with Middle Eastern countries, will hold policy consultations with the League of Arab States, Turkey and Lebanon from June 14 through 17. The head delegate from the Republic of Korea to the meetings will be Director-General for African and Middle Eastern Affairs Kwon Hee-seog.

◦ At the second ROK-Arab League policy consultation set to take place in Cairo, Egypt, on June 14, the two sides will review the progress in bilateral exchanges; seek ways to step up substantive cooperation; and discuss a wide range of other matters of mutual concern, including the situations in the Middle East and Northeast Asia.

* The delegation from the Arab League will be led by Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs Fadel Mohammed Jawad Kadum.

◦ The third ROK-Turkey consultation on Middle East policy will be held in Ankara, Turkey, on June 16. The two sides will discuss in depth security issues in the Middle East, including ways to respond to the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL); the Iranian nuclear issue and developments related to sanctions on the country; and issues concerning the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Yemen and the situation in North Africa.

* The Turkish head delegate to the meeting will be Director-General for the Middle East and North Africa Can Dizdar of the Foreign Ministry.

◦ At the third ROK-Lebanon policy consultation to take place in Beirut, Lebanon, on June 17, the two sides will discuss pending bilateral issues as well as the situations in the Middle East and Northeast Asia. In addition, they will seek ways to work together, including on key global issues.

* The Lebanese delegation will be headed by Director of Political and Consular Affairs Charbel Wehbe of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants.

2. The regularly held policy consultations with leading Middle Eastern countries and the League of Arab States are expected to contribute greatly to the ROK’s efforts to enhance its relations with the Middle East, step up cooperation with the region on its key issues, and win support from countries in the region on the ROK’s pending issues.


* unofficial translation