S. Korea, Germany agree to bolster ties on FTA, global issues

(ATTN: UPDATES throughout with results of summit, comments by presidents)
By Lee Chi-dong
SEOUL, Feb. 8 (Yonhap) -- South Korea and Germany agreed Monday to expand
economic ties, bolster partnership on global issues and pursue further
discussions on Germany's experience of reunification, South Korea's presidential
office said after a summit between the leaders of the two sides.
President Lee Myung-bak and his counterpart Horst Kohler also had "in-depth"
discussions on ways to boost cooperation at the G-20 economic forum and
facilitate the implementation of the free trade agreement between Seoul and the
European Union, according to Cheong Wa Dae.
Lee emphasized "the importance of deepening and expanding economic and trade
cooperation with Germany, South Korea's largest trading partner in Europe,"
Cheong Wa Dae said in a press release.
Lee also expressed his gratitude to Germany for its support for South Korea's
efforts to sign a free trade agreement (FTA) with EU and requested continued
cooperation for an early signing and ratification of the deal. South Korea, one
of Asia's major economies, struck a provisional deal on free trade with the
European bloc last year. The two sides are expected to sign a formal agreement in
May this year.
The South Korean president asked for Germany's support for South Korea's hosting
of the G-20 economic summit on Nov. 11-12, and Kohler said South Korea and
Germany need to play a constructive role in establishing a new global economic
order. Kohler is known for his expertise on global finance as he served as chief
of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and managing director at
the International Monetary Fund.
In addition, the leaders agreed on the necessity for closer cooperation between
their countries over South Korea's pursuit of reunification with the communist
North Korea. Germany marks the 20th anniversary of its reunification this year
and South Korea hopes to take lessons from its experience in achieving the
long-sought goal and dealing with subsequent economic burden and social problems.
In a photo session ahead of their talks, Lee said South Korea and Germany "have
maintained timed-honored diplomatic relations and cooperative ties in various
fields. With South and North Korea divided, in particular, Germany's
reunification process is thought to be helpful to South Korea."
In response, Kohler said "My trip this time is to further deepen friendly ties
between Germany and South Korea through discussions not only on pending issues
but also on future ones."
Cheong Wa Dae said, meanwhile, the presidents "also agreed to strengthen the
basis for cooperation on regional and global issues such as helping reconstruct
Afghanistan, countering climate change, and providing development aid."
Kohler, on his first trip here as German president in eight years, plans to meet
National Assembly Speaker Kim Hyong-o and cultural and religious leaders later
Monday.
On Tuesday, he is scheduled to meet a group of German businessmen in South Korea
and Sakong Il, chairman of the Presidential Committee for the G-20 Summit. After
also meeting South Korean business leaders. Kohler is to depart Seoul on
Wednesday.
lcd@yna.co.kr
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