President of the Czech Republic Václav Klaus, President of the Republic of Korea Lee Myung-bak and President of the European Commission José Manuel Barroso

Photo: archive of the office of the President

 

After the EU-Republic of Korea Summit had not been held under the French EU Presidency in October 2008, it was finally organized by the Czech EU Presidency on 23 May 2009, despite extremely full agenda of both sides. This first free-standing summit of both like-minded countries took place right after the EU-Russia Summit in Khabarovsk in the Russian Far East, and after the EU-China Summit in Prague. President of the Czech Republic Václav Klaus as well as European Commission President José Manuel Barroso and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic Jan Kohout arrived in Seoul on this occasion.

Strengthening friendly relations between the EU and the Republic of Korea, further progress regarding the situation on the Korean Peninsula and throughout North East Asia, current economic crisis as well as climate change and development cooperation were all the main topics discussed during the summit. The delegation of the EU was led by President Václav Klaus whereas the European Commission was represented by its President José Manuel Barroso, EU Trade Commissioner Catherine Ashton and EU External Relations Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner. The Korean delegation was headed by President of the Republic of Korea Lee Myung-bak, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Yu Myung-Hwan and Minister for Trade Kim Jong-hoon. Joint press statement was issued, and Agreement concerning cooperation on anti-competitive activities between the European Union and the Republic of Korea was also signed alongside the negotiations.

In addition to these meetings, President of the Czech Republic Václav Klaus and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic Jan Kohout took part in a dinner, which was organized by President of the Federation of Korean Industries Cho Suck-rai. Prime Minister of the Republic of Korea Han Seung-soo, several ministers as well as a number of high-ranking businessmen took part in a dinner. Minister Kohout and EC President Barroso also attended a meeting with 20 resident EU member states ambassadors.

Apart from the summit and related meetings, additional bilateral meeting between Presidents Václav Klaus and Lee Myung-bak was held. Both parties endorsed the interest in further expansion of cooperation between the two countries. After the official part of the summit, President of the Czech Republic Václav Klaus went for a walk in the centre of Seoul that he visited 15 years ago as a Prime Minister of the Czech Republic. Later on he hiked to the top of Bukak Mountain, which is stretching behind the presidential palace. In the meantime, European Commission President José Manuel Barroso visited the Demilitarized Zone on the border between both Korean states.