1. On the sidelines of the Davos Forum, Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se met with his French counterpart Laurant Fabius on January 23. In the meeting, the two top diplomats reviewed the progress in the implementation of follow-up measures to the two summit meetings between the Republic of Korea and France held in 2013 and 2014, and discussed ways to work together in a mutually beneficial manner across the board.

2. Minister Yun once again offered condolences and consolation to the victims of the recent terrorist attack in France as well as their bereaved families, adding that the ROK government will participate actively in international efforts to eradicate acts of terrorism. Extending appreciation to the international community, including the ROK, for its solidarity over the matter, Minister Fabius called terrorism a “crime against all people” and proposed working together to eradicate it.

3. The two Ministers took note of the smooth progress in the implementation of follow-up measures to the summit talks across the board, including political affairs, economy, trade, education, culture and international issues. In a bid to implement the follow-up measures in a more systematic way down the road, they agreed to seek an early agreement on an action plan for the bilateral comprehensive partnership, which is currently under discussion.

° In particular, the two Ministers agreed to hold the foreign ministerial strategic dialogue to seek more tangible strategic cooperation on not only bilateral but also various global issues.

4. The two Ministers agreed to make thorough preparations for the “year of ROK-France bilateral exchanges” events scheduled to begin in the second half of the year 2015 in commemoration of the 130th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2016. They voiced their hope that the events will serve as a significant milestone in further promoting the bilateral friendship and cooperation in a future-oriented way.

* The two countries had agreed to designate the second half of the year 2015 through the first half of the year 2016 as “Year of the ROK” in France and the year 2016 as the “Year of France” in Korea in order to mark the 130th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2016. During those years, the two countries will hold events in such areas as cultural arts, politics, economy, education, science and technology.

5. In addition, Minister Yun expressed his hope that the 21st session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP21) to take place in Paris in late 2015 will successfully establish a new climate regime that is participated by the entire global community, effective and flexible, thereby making the year 2015 a historic year in terms of addressing global climate change.

° Minister Fabius stressed that as the chair country of the COP21, France will exercise leadership to muster the political willingness of the international community in that regard.

6. Also, Minister Yun explained the current situations on the Korean Peninsula and in Northeast Asia, asking the French government to continue rendering support and cooperation on trustpolitik and the unification policy pursued by the ROK government. In response, Minister Fabius expressed strong support for the ROK government’s policies aimed at peace and prosperity on the Korean Peninsula, as well as willingness to continue cooperation with the ROK in that regard. 


              Spokesperson and Deputy Minister for Public Relations of MOFA

* unofficial translation