Costa, EU Council President, "Hope for Early Korea-EU Summit".. Meets with President Lee's Special Envoy

[Financial News] The European Union (EU) proposed a prompt summit to President Lee Jae-myung. During the first EU special envoy's visit to the EU Council and European Parliament in Brussels, Belgium, the EU proposed a summit between the two sides.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the 17th, the President's European Union (EU) special envoy team, led by former Minister of Environment Yun Yeo-jun, met with Antonio Costa, the EU Council President, on the 15th (local time) and delivered a personal letter containing the President's message on strengthening Korea-EU relations. Costa proposed the early holding of a Korea-EU summit during this meeting. Costa stated, "I hope President Lee Jae-myung can visit Brussels soon for a Korea-EU summit." However, it is expected that President Lee will hold a Korea-US summit first before the Korea-EU summit.
The special envoy also spread the ability of Korean democracy to recover from illegal martial law. They also met with the EU Council President and others to introduce the new government's national philosophy, including resolving the North Korean nuclear issue and resuming inter-Korean exchanges.
In particular, they agreed to further strengthen practical cooperation in major areas, including cooperation on global issues such as artificial intelligence (AI) and the climate crisis. Costa evaluated the visit of Korea's first special envoy to the EU and welcomed Korea's rapid overcoming of the political crisis and restoration of democracy by the power of the people.
The special envoy explained the government's efforts to firmly respond to North Korea's nuclear and missile provocations in cooperation with the international community, while also seeking to resume communication and pursue dialogue and cooperation with North Korea. Costa responded that the EU actively supports the Korean government's related efforts.
On the 16th, the special envoy met with Christel Schaldemose, Vice President of the European Parliament, to explain the new government's foreign policy stance and discuss ways to strengthen the Korea-EU strategic partnership.
Schaldemose welcomed the first special envoy's visit to the EU and praised the Korean people for successfully defending and restoring democracy in times of crisis.
Both sides agreed on the need to expand Korea-EU exchanges and cooperation in various fields, including activating parliamentary exchanges. They also shared the view of continuously discovering practical cooperation areas, evaluating progress in research cooperation in advanced science and technology fields through Korea's participation in Horizon Europe, along with economic and security cooperation. 
rainman@fnnews.com Kim Kyung-soo Reporter