1. On the sidelines of the ASEAN-related foreign ministerial meetings 2016 in Vientiane, Laos, from July 24 to 26, Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se met bilaterally with Foreign Minister Perfecto Yasay of the Philippines on July 25. In their meeting, the two top diplomats exchanged views on the Republic of Korea-Philippines relations across the board, ways to step up cooperation on economy and defense industry, and the North Korean nuclear issue, among others.

2. The two Ministers, taking note of the closer-than-ever friendship and cooperation between their two countries across the board, agreed to consult closely with each other to seek ways to further consolidate such cooperative ties.

3. The two Ministers, both recognizing the still great potential for economic cooperation between their two countries, agreed to further step up substantive cooperation in such sectors as defense industry, economy, infrastructure and investment in a mutually beneficial manner.

° Minister Yasay, extending gratitude to the ROK for its contribution to the Philippines’ highway and other infrastructure projects, voiced hope for an expanded presence of Korean companies in the Philippines and their contribution to the country’s economic development.

° With regard to cooperation in defense industry, Minister Yun expressed appreciation to the Filipino government for rendering supporting with interest to Korean companies for their participation in a frigate project, voicing hope for further progress in cooperation in the field.

4. Minister Yun extended gratitude to the Filipino government for expressing a strong and firm position on North Korea’s nuclear test and missile provocations, and asked for active cooperation of the Philippines in efforts to resolve the North Korean nuclear issue.

° Minister Yasay, expressing deep concern over North Korea’s provocations, stated that the Philippines, a long-standing ally of the ROK, will continue to strongly support the ROK’s position on issues concerning the Korean Peninsula.


* unofficial translation