1. On the sidelines of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Foreign Ministers' Meeting (April 3-4, Brussels) Minister of Foreign Affairs Cho Tae-yul  held bilateral talks with High Representative of the European Union (EU) for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell and Belgian Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Affairs and Foreign Trade and the Federal Cultural Institutions Hadja Lahbib to discuss bilateral relations, cooperation on the international stage,  the situation on the Korean Peninsula and regional affairs.

2. During the meeting with EU High Representative Borrell, the two ministers appreciated the active exchanges between the EU and Korea, the former's key partner in the Indo-Pacific region, and agreed to consult more closely together to develop a security partnership and to hold the first Korea-EU Foreign Ministers' Strategic Dialogue, as agreed at last year's Korea-EU Summit. The two ministers also agreed to strengthen cooperation in helping Ukraine bring the war to an early end, rebuild itself and restore peace.

3. During the meeting with Minister Lahbib, the two Ministers shared the view on the need to further strengthen high-level exchanges and regular consultations, and agreed to further deepen cooperation in the fields of education, semiconductor and other high-tech industries, and research and development. Minister Cho expressed his hope that the AI (artificial intelligence) Seoul Summit to be hosted by Korea will serve as an opportunity for the two countries to strengthen bilateral cooperation in the field of AI. In response, Minister Lahbib agreed on the need to strengthen cooperation in the field of AI. In addition, Minister Cho expressed his expectation that both Korea-EU and Korea-Belgium relations will advance further during Belgium's EU presidency for the first half of 2024.

4. Meanwhile, Minister Cho explained that North Korea's continued provocations and illegal military cooperation with Russia of late pose a threat to peace and stability not only on the Korean Peninsula but also in Europe and around the world, and called for Belgium and the EU to continue cooperation in that regard. He also expressed his regret over Russia's recent veto of the UN resolution to extend the mandate of the UN Panel of Experts under the North Korea Sanctions Committee and emphasized the need for closer cooperation with the international community, including the EU and Belgium. High Representative Borrell and Minister Lahbib appreciated the Korean government's policy and efforts for peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and affirmed their continued support for them.

5. The meetings with EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Borrell and Foreign Minister Lahbib of Begium, which is holding the presidency of the Council of the EU for the first half of this year, served as an opportunity for Korea to further strengthen partnership with Europe based on its Global Pivotal State diplomacy.