Romania, South Korea extend bilateral cooperation
Romania and South Korea broaden their bilateral cooperation.
Ana-Maria Popescu, 24.04.2024, 14:00
Bucharest and Seoul have marked the beginning of a new chapter in their bilateral relations, “built on true friendship and strengthened by a strong Strategic Partnership.” The statement was made by president Klaus Iohannis, who recently led a ministerial delegation on a visit to South Korea, Romania’s only strategic partner in Asia. The current global crises require enhanced efforts to safeguard international order, president Klaus Iohannis said in Seoul.
His counterpart, Yoon Suk Yeol, in turn committed to strengthen cooperation in the defence industry, including through the joint production of weapons, given that his country has grown into an important player in world weapon exports. And according to Reuters, Russia’s invasion in Ukraine opens the door for South-Korean industries to sign large-scale contracts with Europe, the Middle East and Asia.
In fact, a joint statement was signed in Seoul concerning the consolidation of the Strategic Partnership between Romania and South Korea, a document that lays down the main cooperation directions for the next 10 years.
In his talks with his South-Korean counterpart, the Romanian president encouraged a substantial growth of investments in Romania, especially in sectors such as energy, defence and infrastructure.
Klaus Iohannis: “We intend to advance cooperation in the defence sector, including in terms of completing the negotiations on the EU – Korea Security Partnership. Through close bilateral coordination, as well as within the cooperation between NATO and its Indo-Pacific partners, we support the efforts to counter the multiple negative effects of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, of the cooperation between Russia and North Korea and of North Korea’s continuing endeavors to develop nuclear weapons. Essentially, what we want is a safer and more stable world.”
In this context, a number of bilateral cooperation documents were signed, including a defence cooperation agreement which facilitates the procedures for the opening of defence attaché offices in Bucharest and Seoul. Cooperation agreements were also signed in the fields of nuclear energy, emergency management, culture, mass media, youth and sports.
During the visit, Klaus Iohannis insisted on the bilateral relations:
Klaus Iohannis: “This relationship with South Korea is developing quite well, I believe we have a real chance for this cooperation in the nuclear energy sector to actually help us pioneer the small-scale modular reactor sector in our region, but there are also many other areas where this cooperation may create jobs and bring technology into Romania, for instance in the defence industry. I also have great expectations for inter-university cooperation in the cyber security field.”
During his visit to Seoul, Klaus Iohannis also attended a Romanian traditional art exhibition, ‘Inside Romania’, where he met members of the Romanian community in South Korea. “Each of you is a link contributing to a stronger relationship between Romania and the Republic of Korea,” the Romanian head of state told the Romanians living in this country. (AMP)
