Korea-Canada Foreign Ministers' Meeting

2007-11-07 16:42
Seoul--(뉴스와이어)--Minister Song Min-soon, who is currently visiting Canada, held the Korea-Canada Foreign Ministers' Meeting with Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada, Maxime Bernier in Quebec City on November 6. They exchanged views on various issues of mutual interest including Korea-Canada relations, a free trade agreement between Korea and Canada, Korea's bid to host the 2012 World Expo in Yeosu, the North Korean nuclear issue, the 2007 inter-Korean Summit and the situation in Afghanistan.

The two ministers noted the steady development of bilateral ties between the two countries in all areas since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1963, particularly in the international arena including the United Nations. As next year marks the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries, the two ministers agreed to hold a Korea-Canada Forum at an early date in efforts to uplift bilateral ties onto a higher level. The two sides also agreed to set up a working group headed by directors-general of the foreign ministries for discussions on ways to further enhance bilateral ties.

Minister Song explained the recent progress at the Six-Party Talks and the outcomes of the 2007 inter-Korean Summit. Minister Bernier welcomed the progress made in the North Korean nuclear issue through the Six-Party Talks, and reassured that Canada will continue to support the efforts to enhance reconciliation and cooperation between South and North Korea.

The two ministers agreed that the conclusion of a free trade agreement between Korea and Canada would provide an opportunity to significantly expand substantial cooperation between the two countries in the field of economy and trade, and agreed to make joint efforts for an early conclusion of an FTA between Korea and Canada.

Minister Bernier asked for the Korean government's cooperation for the efforts to resolve the issue of resuming Canadian beef import, and Minister Song explained relevant domestic procedures of Korea. The two ministers agreed to make joint efforts to reach a mutually satisfactory resolution of this matter.