This morning at Villa Madama, Paolo Gentiloni, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, received YUN Byung-se, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea.
Mr Gentiloni and Mr YUN Byung-se took stock of the excellence of the current bilateral relations between Italy and the Republic of Kore in every sector of activity and the perspectives for the future. “The aim is to achieve the now viable target of 10 billion dollars in trade,” said the two Ministers, acknowledging the steep rise in number of air flights connecting the two Countries (18 flights a week) and in the ensuing tourist flows.
The meeting also offered the opportunity to make an overview of the international and regional issues of respective interest, including the Preparation of the 9th EU-Republic of Korea Summit and cooperating within the UN, also in view of Italy’s upcoming seat in the Security Council.
Minister Gentiloni expressed Italy’s great appreciation for the relevant contribution of the Republic of Korea towards the stabilization of South-East Asia and of the South China Sea. Mr Gentiloni went on to emphasize Italy’s interest in further strengthening bilateral relations, especially in the economic and commercial context, starting with renewing the common commitment to strengthen their partnership by extending it to culture, fashion, design, science and technology. With a view to expanding cooperation to the field of culture, Minister Yun Byung-Se announced the opening of a new Korean Cultural Institute in Italy next October.
Mr Gentiloni also asserted the Italian Government’s commitment on the major topical issues in Europe and in the Mediterranean, and specifically the fight against Daesh and terrorism, managing the migration emergency and stabilizing Libya, highlighting that the Korean Republic represents an essential partner for Italy in the dialogue and cooperation established between Asia and Europe.
