열린장관실

『Asia-Europe Relations and ASEM』

 

By

H.E. Mr. Ban Ki-moon

Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade

of

the Republic of Korea

At

'ASEM@10 : Connecting Civil Societies of Asia and Europe'

8 September, 2006

Helsinki, Finland

Mr. Chair,

Distinguished Guests,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

    I am deeply honored to have the chance to speak today before such a range of distinguished guests from governments, business communities, NGOs, academia, the media and think tanks, amongst others.

    My special thanks go to H.E. Dr. Erkki Tuomioja (에르끼 뚜오미오야), Minister of Foreign Affairs of Finland, and Ambassador Cho Won-il (조원일), Executive-Director of the Asia-Europe Foundation, for the kind invitation to speak here today as well as for the excellent arrangements made for this meeting.

    This symposium is most timely in that it falls at a time when ASEM, marking its tenth anniversary, is preparing to enter a new decade. Its theme, 'Connecting Civil Societies of Asia and Europe' is highly relevant : it is indeed a vital task for the future of the ASEM process to encourage greater attention and active participation from the civil sector.

(10 Years of ASEM and its Future)

Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,

    Ten years have passed since the twenty-six Heads of State and Government from Asia and Europe gathered in Bangkok for the inaugural Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM). I remember well participating, as Senior Official of the Republic of Korea, in the preparations for and launch of the historic summit.  True to its aim of forging the 'missing link' between the two regions, the Meeting forged a new comprehensive Asia-Europe Partnership for Greater Growth.   

    Over the last decade, ASEM has been a catalyst in our common efforts to enhance mutual understanding and strengthen exchanges and cooperation between the two regions in the political, economic and financial, and social and cultural pillars. ASEM Partners have also endeavored to respond to newly emerging issues of common concern.

   To give some notable examples, in response to the Asian financial crisis, the London Summit in 1998 set up the ASEM Trust Fund to help affected Asian countries. The terrorist attacks of September 11 led to a series of ASEM counter-terrorism initiatives and the adoption of the Declaration on Cooperation against International Terrorism at the Copenhagen Summit in 2002. Moreover, recognizing the challenges and opportunities of an increasingly interdependent and competitive world, at the Hanoi Summit in 2004 ASEM Partners adopted the Hanoi Declaration on Closer ASEM Economic Partnership.

    Korea has contributed fully to these common efforts, especially in the areas of education and information technology.  Together with France and Singapore, Korea proposed and co-sponsored the ASEM-DUO Fellowship Programme, which has enabled more than a thousand college students and professors to benefit from scholarships for study and research in other ASEM countries. Korea also took the lead in establishing the Trans-Eurasia Information Network (TEIN-1) which has laid the groundwork for Internet-based research networks between the two regions. I am pleased to note that the launch of TEIN-2 funded by the European Commission, will take place tomorrow in line with the ASEM Summit.

    A decade down the road with five summits, twenty-eight Ministerial Meetings, numerous conferences in various areas successfully held, and more than one hundred cooperative projects under way, ASEM finds itself at a crossroads.  As it readies to embark on a new decade, ASEM should focus on finding more efficient ways to yield tangible fruit for the benefit of all ASEM Partners.

    In addition, if it is to enhance the visibility of the ASEM process and develop a more participatory process, it is crucial that ASEM forge stronger ties with civil society. A meaningful, sustainable engagement of different civil society groups would enhance ASEM's visibility and a feeling of ownership in the ASEM process. These efforts will help ensure that the general public are the biggest beneficiaries of the ASEM process.

    In this regard, it should be noted that the Asia-Europe Foundation (ASEF) has successfully managed over three hundred projects in the field of intellectual, cultural and people-to-people exchanges. In light of the valuable contribution it is making, it would be desirable for ASEM partners to continue their support for ASEF. We look forward to it maintaining momentum as a driving force in ASEM's third pillar.

(Multilateral Security Cooperation in Northeast Asia)

Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,

    Helsinki is a historic place where the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe (CSCE) was created thirty years ago, which laid a solid foundation for multilateral security cooperation among the European countries. I would like to take this opportunity to share with you some thoughts on the current security situation and future task in Northeast Asia.

    With the on-going socio-economic transformation of the region in recent decades the security situation in Northeast Asia is in a flux. In contrast to Europe, where economic integration and multilateral security cooperation have thrived, such efforts are still at an embryonic stage in Northeast Asia.

    The end of the Cold War brought tremendous change to Northeast Asia. States have broken free from the fetters of ideologies of the past to build more beneficial relations. In the midst of globalization and the spread of the market economy, Northeast Asia has been serving as an engine for growth in the world economy. An ever-deepening interdependence among countries is evident across the region. And with the ensuing  increase in people-to-people and cultural exchanges, states are gaining a deeper understanding of one another.

    Yet there are elements of uncertainty in the regional security landscape. Vestiges of the Cold War are still apparent in some parts of the region. Concerns are running high with territorial disputes and problems stemming from a painful past, competition to secure energy resources, and the rise of exclusive nationalism.

    The task facing the countries of Northeast Asia is clear. We must make every possible effort to ensure that the negative elements not come to the fore, hindering progress. There is therefore a pressing call for the building of a durable order of stability in the region.

    In the wake of World War II, Europe, with the collective defence provided by NATO as a firm basis, has consolidated an order of peace and integration. The comprehensive and cooperative security forged through the OSCE also has been an important element in this process. Countries now unite in their efforts to work together to tackle both traditional and non-traditional security threats.

    The challenge for Northeast Asia is how to draw upon the European experience to build a mechanism for multilateral security cooperation. I am convinced that the European experience will serve as a model for multilateral security cooperation in Northeast Asia. However, the backdrop in Northeast Asia differs greatly from that in Europe and the countries in the region will have to exert even more vigorous efforts to this end.

(North Korea and the Six-Party Talks)

Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,

    The North Korean nuclear issue has been one of the most critical challenges Northeast Asia has to tackle as it endeavors to shape a stable security order in the region. Our common efforts to address the challenge to peace and security in the region and beyond have been frustrated by North Korea's missile launches last July.

    The Korean government has been an active player in the Six-Party Talks aimed at a peaceful, negotiated resolution to the North Korean nuclear issue. With the Six-Party Talks stalemated for many months, North Korea's missile launch was a defiant act of provocation. It underscored the need for continued diplomatic efforts to resolve the security challenges posed by North Korea. With the adoption of UN Security Council Resolution 1695, the international community has sent a clear message warning North Korea against committing further acts of provocation. It has also urged North Korea to return immediately to the Six-Party Talks without precondition.

    The Six-Party Talks represent an experiment in Northeast Asia, a region where there has so far been a lack of multilateral security dialogue.  They are sowing the seeds for a more permanent security arrangement in a region where multilateralism and regional integration remain elusive. In this respect, the Korean government is deeply grateful to the European Union for its support of the Six-Party Talks.  We do indeed appreciate the unhesitating endeavors by the EU to engage North Korea and encourage it to take the road of reform and openness.

(Meeting New Challenges with a Strong and Efficient UN)

Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

    Korea and Europe are strong champions of multilateral cooperation in securing global peace and prosperity. We also share the view that the sole body that can deliver such multilateral aspiration is the UN.

    The UN has played indispensable and historically unique role in helping point states and people in the right direction. However, our promises regularly outpace our performance by a wide margin. Some preach hatred and intolerance, demean the principles, purposes, and accomplishments of the UN era, and seek to profit from disorder and division.

    In facing up to these challenges, the UN must find new vigor to effectively meet the growing expectations of the global era. Adapting and changing this august body should be continued. I believe that Korea and Europe will be ideal partners in rally political will of the international community to make the UN stronger and more efficient with their strong belief in multilateralism.

    Korea has long been a prime beneficiary and proponent of multilateralism, especially as embodied in the UN system. Indeed, Korea is a rare success story in the sixty years of UN efforts to promote peace and security, development and human rights around the world.

    Having experienced war and managed stability for over half a century, having achieved the transition from poverty to prosperity, from authoritarianism to democracy, Korea has overcome the full spectrum of challenges that is the prime agenda of the UN. And we are earnest in hoping to further contribute to the work of the Organization with our experience.

    It is in this context that I was nominated by my government as a candidate for the next Secretary-General of the UN. As Korea's foreign minister, and also as a citizen of an ASEM partner country, I am eager for the opportunity to apply  Korea's experiences as well as my strong commitment to the noble cause of the UN to the good of the international community.

    During the past months, I have promoted my candidacy with humility, presenting my thoughts and vision, and listening to the views of others on current challenges facing the UN and the international community. I have no illusion that I can single-handedly save the UN. But if elected, I would be open to hearing the widest spectrum of opinions. I will listen as well as I lead. I am sure that the exchange of views with the audience here today will be another memorable and enlightening experience.

(Concluding Remarks)

Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,

    Coming back to Asia-Europe relations, it is indeed remarkable that ASEM Partners account for around 40% of the world population, 50% of global GDP and 60% of world trade. Considering that Asia holds the most dynamic and fastest growing market today while the European Union has advanced technology and experiences, there is still much room to cooperate for greater common growth.

    Through dialogue and cooperation, the ASEM process has greatly advanced the convergence of various interests of the two regions. It has also provided a role model of inter-regional cooperation in tackling multiple and complex challenges that confront the global community.

    ASEM is a mutually beneficial learning process, which allows the partnership between Asia and Europe to keep growing. I am confident that this Helsinki ASEM Summit will indeed rise to this task, yielding concrete results as Leaders unite to successfully map out the future course of the ASEM process for its second decade.

    Thank you.