Opening Statement by President Roh Moo-hyun at a Joint Press Conference Following a Summit with President Heinz Fischer of the Republic of Austria
President Fischer is accompanied by a large delegation of 140 leaders. This testifies to the fact that Austria is keenly interested in Korea, and I am convinced that bilateral relations between Korea and Austria will be further promoted in the foreseeable future.
President Fischer and I have just held a summit and had extensive discussions on the bilateral relationship and recent international developments, including on the Korean Peninsula and in Northeast Asia and the European Union, as well as on ways to work together in the international arena.
More than anything else, we shared a common understanding that the two countries have a great potential to enhance bilateral cooperation in light of the size of the respective economies. We concurred on the need to exert all-out efforts to further realize economic collaboration in the future.
President Fischer and I especially noted that his visit has occasioned a new framework for bilateral cooperation in areas such as science and technology as well as the environment, adding that specific steps are being taken to expand trade between the two countries. During President Fischer’s visit, the two countries signed the Joint Declaration on Cooperation in Science and Research between the Ministry of Science and Technology of the Republic of Korea and the Federal Ministry of Science and Research of the Republic of Austria while Austrian business leaders accompanying him are holding a trade fair in concert with their Korean counterparts.
We also held an in-depth discussion on recent developments on the Korean Peninsula and in Northeast Asia and EU countries. President Fischer offered his assessment of recent progress in the Six-Party Talks and reaffirmed his support for the Korean Government’s policy of peace and prosperity in Northeast Asia.
At the same time, President Fischer and I exchanged views on how the European nations have overcome their history of war and conflict and how they have attained wisdom and experience in the course of building the European Union in the spirit of reconciliation and integration. We concurred on the prospects for promoting EU-type comprehensive regional collaboration in Northeast Asia in the interest of peace and cooperation.
The two of us were reminded that Seoul and Vienna have been working together very closely in the UN and other the international arena, and pledged to continue such cooperation.
Through today’s summit, I became convinced that Korea-Austria relations, which have steadily developed since the establishment of diplomatic ties in 1963, will continue to expand further. I trust that the two countries will further progress in the future as close cooperative partners in all areas of mutual interest, including trade, investment, science and technology.
Austrian President Stresses Stepped-Up Bilateral Ties
President Heinz Fischer of Austria, who is paying a state visit to Korea, talked about the North Korean issue and Austrian-Korean relationship during a news conference at Cheong Wa Dae. The following is his remarks.
Austria established diplomatic ties with North Korea from very early on. Thus, we have great concern about the situation around the Korean Peninsula.
As Austria was also ruled by an outside power for 10 years after the end of World War II, the country can well relate to circumstances in Korea. More importantly, I can assure you that peaceful means is the only way by which to overcome conflicts and problems between South and North Korea. In this light, I hope that the Six-Party Talks will achieve a successful outcome, and I support any efforts along a continuum of peace.
Most important of all, I find it deeply significant and am honored to be the first Austrian President to be on a state visit to Korea. This is only my first visit, and I do not want to narrow my focus down to one single issue during the trip.
My delegation this time is rather big. Included in it are not only government officials but also legislators; in fact, every Austrian political party is represented in my delegation by one of its parliamentary members. Also with me here are business leaders and scholars led by the chair of the Austrian Academy of Sciences. Of course, a large Austrian press corps is covering this visit. Joined by such a large group of national leaders, I earnestly hope my state visit will contribute to deepening and furthering the relationship between Seoul and Vienna.
The deepening of such friendly ties can be viewed from a multilateral standpoint as well·between Korea and members of the EU. The same kind of ties should be realized in the UN and other international arena. In the meantime, I would like to add that it is about time Korea and Austria concluded a social security agreement.
A number of events are scheduled during my stay in Korea. And I am going to extend my invitation to President Roh to visit Austria at the state dinner; I do hope that President Roh will be able to come to Vienna at an early date in the interest of further advancing the friendly ties between our two peoples.
Austrian President Stresses Stepped-Up Bilateral Ties Answering Questions by Local Internet Newspaper
President Heinz Fischer of Austria, who is paying a state visit to Korea, elaborated today on the significance of his visit at a question & answer session with OhMyNews, a local Internet newspaper.
QUESTION: I am Hwang Bang-yeol with OhMyNews. First of all, I would like to welcome you to Korea, Mr. President. I have two questions for you. First, what in your opinion is a desirable approach to the resolution of the on-going North Korean nuclear issue? Second, what is the significance of your visit to Korea from the Austrian point of view?
President Heinz Fischer: I will answer the first question. Austria established diplomatic ties with North Korea from very early on. Thus, we have great concern about the situation around the Korean Peninsula.
As Austria was also ruled by an outside power for 10 years after the end of World War II, the country can well relate to circumstances in Korea. More importantly, I can assure you that peaceful means is the only way by which to overcome conflicts and problems between South and North Korea. In this light, I hope that the Six-Party Talks will achieve a successful outcome, and I support any efforts along a continuum of peace.
Most important of all, I find it deeply significant and am honored to be the first Austrian President to be on a state visit to Korea. This is only my first visit, and I do not want to narrow my focus down to one single issue during the trip.
My delegation this time is rather big. Included in it are not only government officials but also legislators; in fact, every Austrian political party is represented in my delegation by one of its parliamentary members. Also with me here are business leaders and scholars led by the chair of the Austrian Academy of Sciences. Of course, a large Austrian press corps is covering this visit. Joined by such a large group of national leaders, I earnestly hope my state visit will contribute to deepening and furthering the relationship between Seoul and Vienna.
The deepening of such friendly ties can be viewed from a multilateral standpoint as well·between Korea and members of the EU. The same kind of ties should be realized in the UN and other international arena. In the meantime, I would like to add that it is about time Korea and Austria concluded a social security agreement.
A number of events are scheduled during my stay in Korea. And I am going to extend my invitation to President Roh to visit Austria at the state dinner; I do hope that President Roh will be able to come to Vienna at an early date in the interest of further advancing the friendly ties between our two peoples.
웹사이트: http://www.president.go.kr
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2008년 8월 6일 17:22
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