1. On the sidelines of the ASEAN-related foreign ministerial meetings 2016 in Vientiane, Laos, from July 24 to 26, Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se met bilaterally with Foreign Minister Julie Bishop of Australia in Vientiane on July 25. In their meeting, the two top diplomats discussed the Republic of Korea-Australia cooperation on political affairs and economy; issues concerning the Korean Peninsula; and MIKTA cooperation.

2. The two Ministers shared the view that their two countries have been seeing their relations upgraded to a quasi-alliance partnership, including through the entry into force of the bilateral FTA in December 2014, the increase in the number of Korean students in Australia, and the bilateral foreign and defense ministers’ (2+2) meeting in September 2015. They agreed to further develop the bilateral relations during the second term of the Turnbull government.

° The two Ministers agreed to work closely together at main regional mechanisms for political and security consultations, such as the East Asia Summit and the ASEAN Regional Forum, which both countries participate in.

3. With regard to issues concerning the Korean Peninsula, the two Ministers noted with appreciation the international sanctions against and pressure on North Korea, including those under UN Security Council 2270 and unilateral sanctions of individual countries. They drew a common understanding that the international community should send a clear, stern, united message to North Korea.

4. The two Ministers noted that Australia’s contributions to and role at MIKTA are helping develop MIKTA into a significant consultative mechanism in the international community, and agreed to continue MIKTA’s growth streak in the long term. Australia is serving as MIKTA’s third chair country since September 2015.


* unofficial translation