[시사일보=유양수 기자] On November 15, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs Jeong Byeong-won held the 7th Korea-Portugal Policy Consultation with Nuno Sampaio, Portuguese Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation in Lisbon, Portugal to discuss the situation on the Korean Peninsula, including bilateral relations, substantive cooperation, and Russia-North Korea cooperation. and ▴cooperation on the international stage were discussed.
In response to Assistant Minister Jeong’s comment that he evaluated the continuation of top-level exchanges between the two countries, including the Portuguese Prime Minister’s official visit to Korea in April last year and the holding of a summit meeting between the two countries on the occasion of the NATO summit in July last year, Vice Minister Sampaio said he hopes President Yoon Seok-yeol will visit Portugal. did it
Assistant Minister Jeong and Vice Minister Sampaio evaluated the active economic cooperation and human exchange between the two countries, including the increase in trade and investment between the two countries, the reopening of the KOTRA Trade Center in Lisbon last year and the resumption of direct flights between Incheon and Lisbon in September this year, and the defense industry between the two countries. It was also decided to strengthen cooperation and cultural cooperation.
Deputy Minister Jeong requested interest and support from the Portuguese government to prevent inconveniences to Korean citizens staying in Portugal and tourists visiting Portugal, and Vice Minister Sampaio said that starting from August this year, Korean citizens will be able to automatically enter and exit the Portuguese airport. He explained that the screening service “RAPID 4 ALL” can now be used, and suggested that cooperation in the consular field be strengthened.
Vice Minister Sampaio proposed to continue cooperation between the two countries in the field of development cooperation based on the cooperation MOU between KOICA and Camois signed during the Portuguese Prime Minister’s visit to Korea last year, and Deputy Minister Jeong said the major achievements of the Korea-Africa Summit held by Korea. He also explained our development cooperation policy toward Africa.
Deputy Minister Jeong explained that Korea is strengthening its strategic partnership with the EU, including holding the first Korea-EU Foreign Ministers’ Strategic Dialogue in November and adopting the Korea-EU Security and Defense Partnership, and former Portuguese Prime Minister António Costa. He congratulated Costa on being elected as the next EU Standing President in June, and said he hopes Costa will become an important supporter of strengthening Korea-EU cooperation.
Both sides expressed serious concern that Russia-North Korea military cooperation, including the North Korean military’s deployment to Russia, is a serious threat to the security of Europe and the Intai region, and agreed to work together to ensure a united and resolute response from the international community. Deputy Minister Jeong explained the purpose of the Korean government’s ‘8/15 Unification Doctrine’ and requested Portugal’s interest and support for it, and Vice Minister Sampaino said he would continue to support the Korean government’s efforts for a unified Korean Peninsula. .
In addition, the two sides discussed in-depth major regional and international situations, including the situation in Northeast Asia, Ukraine, and the Middle East, and agreed to continue close communication and cooperation on major international issues in the future.
The 7th Korea-Portugal Policy Consultation was held five years after 2019 and is evaluated as an important opportunity to explore ways to promote future-oriented cooperation between the two countries in various fields such as political affairs, economy, and culture.
