1.On April 14, Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se, who is on a visit to Mexico to attend the second MIKTA (Mexico, Indonesia, Korea, Turkey and Australia) Foreign Ministers’ Meeting on April 13 and 14, met bilaterally with his counterparts --Ahmet Davutoglu from Turkey, Julie Bishop from Australia, Jose Antonio Meade from Mexico and Marty Natalegawa from Indonesia. In the meetings, the two sides discussed pending bilateral issues as well as ways to work together on regional and global stages.

[ROK-Turkey Foreign Ministers’ Meeting]

2. The two Ministers noted with satisfaction that the Republic of Korea and Turkey, based on the long-standing alliance forged through the latter’s participation in the Korean War on the ROK side and since the establishment of strategic partnership in 2012, have seen an increase in substantive cooperation in a wide range of fields, including high-level exchanges, economy and trade. They agreed to consult with each other in a bid to expand and advance their cooperative ties.

3. Minister Yun brought attention to the increase in bilateral trade and other positive effects from the bilateral FTA in force since 2013 and voiced hope that the two countries will continue to expand trade through the full use of the FTA while stepping up cooperation in the defense industry sector.

4. Minister Davutoglu stressed that the peoples of the two countries harbor special interest in and affection for each other due to their long history of exchanges and advances in ties. He added that the Turkish government intends to deepen and expand ties with the ROK in trade, investment and various other sectors.

° In addition, he reaffirmed support for and willingness to work together on the ROK government’s policy toward North Korea.

[ROK-Australia Foreign Ministers’ Meeting]

5. The two Ministers noted with appreciation the visit to the ROK by Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbot on April 8 and 9 as a successful one with substantive and tangible achievements. The achievements include signing the ROK-Australia FTA in the economic sector; adopting a vision statement in the political and security field; and including the ROK as a participant in the New Colombo Plan in the field of people-to-people exchanges.

° The two sides also agreed to work together to faithfully follow up on the measures agreed upon at the recent bilateral summit. To this end, they agreed to bring the bilateral FTA into force as soon as possible; hold the next Foreign and Defense Ministers’ (2+2) Meeting in Australia in 2015; step up cooperation in defense industry; and engage in people-to-people exchanges under the New Colombo Plan.

6. The two Ministers shared the view that the ROK and Australia, as major middle powers in the region, should work closely together. They agreed to cooperate closely to make a success of the MIKTA Foreign Ministers’ Meeting to take place on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Brisbane, Australia, in November 2014 as well as the MIKTA Foreign Ministers’ Meeting to be hosted by the ROK in 2015.

[ROK-Mexico Foreign Ministers’ Meeting]

7. Minister Yun commended the recent reform measures taken by the Mexican government with success. He asked for the Mexican government’s special interest in and support for bids of Korean companies with world-class technology and experience to participate in various new infrastructure projects to be conducted by the Mexican government.

8. In addition, the two Ministers signed a memorandum of understanding on international development cooperation, which calls for the ROK and Mexico to conduct joint development projects in third countries in Latin America. The MOU is seen to have paved the way for the ROK to share its development experiences with Latin America on the other side of the globe and thereby contribute to ushering in an era of happiness for the global community.

[ROK-Indonesia Foreign Ministers’ Meeting]

9. Minister Yun extended his appreciation to his Indonesian counterpart Marty for the hospitality of the Indonesian government toward President Park Geun-hye during her state visit to the country in October 2013, voicing hope for continued active exchanges between the leaders of the two countries. Expressing consent on Minister Yun’s idea, Minister Marty expressed hope that even after a new government is launched following the presidential election this July, the two countries will maintain their close ties.

° Minister Yun asked for cooperation of the Indonesian government to conclude at an early date an ROK-Indonesia comprehensive economic partnership agreement (CEPA) as agreed during the aforementioned visit of President Park to Indonesia. In response, Minister Marty voiced hope for bilateral cooperation to move relevant negotiations forward.

10. Minister Yun expressed his appreciation to Indonesia, the current country coordinator for ASEAN-ROK Dialogue, for its cooperative efforts to make a success of the ASEAN-ROK Commemorative Summit and the ASEAN-ROK Dialogue to take place this December and this June, respectively. He also asked for continued cooperation of the Indonesian government in this regard.

° In addition, Minister Yun voiced his hope for active support and cooperation in discussions on issues concerning the Korean Peninsula at ASEAN and other multilateral organizations. In response, Minister Marty commended the ROK government’s policy on North Korean issues and expressed willingness to work closely with the ROK government in that regard. 


                Spokesperson and Deputy Minister for Public Relations of MOFA

* unofficial translation