Korea-Turkey Agree to Upgrade Cooperative Ties

Lee MB Engages in Brisk Summit Diplomacy

President Lee Myung-bak continued his unwavering efforts to cement ties with trading partner nations around the world with a focus on both business and security.
Lee and his Turkish counterpart Abdullah Gul held a summit meeting on June 15, exchanging views on a wide range of issues including measures for the two nations to improve cooperative ties and other global issues of mutual concern. President Gul was on his first state visit to Korea from June 14-16.
As this year marks the 60th anniversary of the beginning of the Korean War (1950-53), President Lee expressed gratitude to the Turkish government and its veterans for dispatching troops at the time to aid South Korea. Turkey sent the fourth largest number of troops among the 16 nations that came to South Korea’s rescue.
The two presidents reconfirmed the long-held friendship between the two nations and pledged to continue developing bilateral ties. The Republic of Korea and Turkey first established diplomatic ties in 1957.
The two leaders expressed their satisfaction with the way that bilateral ties have proceeded so far and agreed to keep it up through an increase in bilateral trade and investment, the conclusion of a free trade agreement, cooperation on energy, construction and defense areas, an upgrade of cultural exchanges and others. The two presidents also agreed on close cooperation for the successful hosting of the G-20 Financial Summit scheduled for November in Seoul.
In the meantime, the two heads also exchanged views on the latest developments on the Korean Peninsula and in the Middle East. President Lee, for his part, called for Turkey’s unstinting support in regards to the sinking of the Cheonan naval ship.






















The president also met with visiting Israeli President Shimon Peres on June 10 to discuss ways of promoting cooperation in trade, investment, renewable energy, science and technology.
The two leaders expressed satisfaction over the friendly ties that the two countries have enjoyed since their diplomatic relationship started in 1962.
President Peres, who visited Korea for the first time, said that Korea and Israel share many common factors like establishing its modern government in the same year, 1948, and realizing fast economic growth in a short period of time. He said he hopes to see the two countries continue to strengthen cooperation in various fields.
The two presidents credited vibrant exchanges between research institutes in their two countries in the renewable energy sector. In relation to this, they agreed on the need to ramp up information exchanges and joint research.
Lee and Peres also saw that combining technology and other know-how could upgrade the competitiveness of both nations and agreed to strengthen cooperation in related fields as well.
The two presidents further exchanged views on the latest events on the Korean Peninsula and the Middle East. Lee explained Korea’s position on the sinking of the Cheonan naval ship in March and expressed his wish to see continued support from Israel.
President Lee also held summit talks with Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong at Singapore’s presidential office in Istana on June 5. The two leaders held discussions on a wide range of issues including economy, trade, green growth and culture.
President Lee explained the results of the international investigation on the sinking of the Cheonan and asked for Singapore’s full support to which Prime Minister Lee positively responded.
Lee touched upon Korea’s establishment of the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI), which aims to assist developing countries with green growth and requested Singapore’s interest and support.
The two leaders praised the bilateral defense ministerial talks, which contributed to setting up a basis for increased cooperation in the defense sector and pledged to maintain such efforts.
Further agreements were made on cultural and personnel exchange between the two nations, including the establishment of a Korea Culture Center in Singapore in the near future.
The President also explained Korea’s preparation for the G-20 Summit slated for November. In response, Prime Minister Lee expressed support and cooperation for the successful hosting of the summit.
The leaders of Korea, Japan and China held the Third Trilateral Summit Meeting on Jeju Island from May 29 to 30 and discussed regional and global issues along with development measures among the three countries.
The president of Korea, Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama of Japan and Premier Wen Jiabao of China agreed on the importance of cooperation among the three countries for regional peace and prosperity and presented “Vision 2020,” which calls for future cooperation and exchange for the next 10 years. A Trilateral Cooperation Secretariat will be established in Korea in 2011 to facilitate coordination among the countries.
The three leaders further agreed to endeavor to complete a joint study for a free trade agreement among Korea, Japan and China by 2012 and also work to realize an investment treaty within the next few months.
Regarding the Cheonan incident, the leaders of Japan and China offered sympathy and consolation to the victims of the incident and their bereaved families. The three leaders agreed to closely coordinate on the matter to maintain peace and stability in the region.
It is rare for the three neighboring countries to have summit diplomacy regarding security issues involving North Korea, in particular. nw

Korean President Lee Myung-bak holds the 3rd trilateral summit meeting with Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama in Jeju.

(top, clockwise) President Lee Myung-bak shakes hands with Israeli President Shimon Peres during their talks on June 10.; The President holds summit talks with Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong at Singapore’s presidential office Istana on June 5.; and Lee holds a summit with Turkish President Addullah Gul on June 15.

Courtesy on the MCST