Vrh EU-Republika Koreja, 19. oktober 2018

Main results

EU and South Korean leaders reaffirmed their strong ties and their commitment to strengthen their strategic partnership:

"Our relations are positive and strong in each of the three pillars of our strategic partnership: political, economic and security. Our summit today re-confirms the importance of our strategic partnership. The Republic of Korea is a solid, like-minded, reliable and committed partner in Asia." Opening remarks by President Donald Tusk

• Opening remarks by President Donald Tusk

Leaders took stock of bilateral relations, including the implementation of the EU-South Korea free trade agreement in place since 2011.

They discussed a number of foreign and security policy issues, including the denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula.

In addition, leaders discussed how to boost EU-South Korea cooperation in areas such as climate change, research and development.

President Donald Tusk and President Jean-Claude Juncker represented the EU. President Jae-in Moon represented the Republic of Korea (hereafter South-Korea).

The EU-South Korea summit took place right after the ASEM summit:

• Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM), 18-19/10/2018

Trade and economy

Leaders discussed how to complete and strengthen the implementation of the EU-South Korea free trade agreement. It is the EU's most ambitious trade deal implemented so far and the first signed with an Asian country. Trade between the EU and Korea increased by 45% between 2011 and 2017, and EU exports jumped by 53%.

The EU and South-Korea also expressed their joint commitment to fight protectionism and to support the multilateral trading system with the WTO at its core, both sides fully engaged behind the reform of the institution.

In addition to trade matters, both sides discussed closer cooperation in several areas, including data protection and fighting illegal fishing.

Foreign and security policy issues

Leaders focused on the denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula. They discussed measures in support of a comprehensive solution through diplomacy.

"Our common goal is the complete, verifiable and irreversible denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula and the full implementation of all relevant UN Security Council resolutions." Opening remarks by President Donald Tusk

The EU and South-Korea addressed other pressing regional and international issues, including the Iran nuclear deal (JCPOA) and the conflict in Eastern Ukraine.

Leaders also exchanged views on how to strengthen cooperation on security and defence issues.

Global issues

The EU and the South-Korea discussed the fight against climate change, including their commitment to implement the Paris Agreement and the COP24 taking place in December 2018.

Leaders also discussed how to foster cooperation on research and innovation across a wide range of areas, such as ICT, energy, and mobility.

Both sides agreed to how to work more closely together on the implementation of the 2030 agenda for sustainable development.

Glej tudi

• Odnosi EU z Južno Korejo (ESZD)
• Trgovinski odnosi med EU in Južno Korejo (Evropska komisija)
• Omejevalni ukrepi EU proti Severni Koreji (ozadje)
• Vrh EU-Republika Koreja, Seul, 15. september 2015