ID :
53223
Tue, 03/31/2009 - 23:17
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://www.oananews.org//node/53223
The shortlink copeid
Lee, Brown call for joint efforts to fight global crisis, improve ties
LONDON, March 31 (Yonhap) -- South Korean President Lee Myung-bak and British Prime Minister Gordon Brown agreed Tuesday to join efforts in the fight against the global financial crisis and pledged to increase bilateral cooperation on international issues such as climate change.
The joint call came as the two leaders were set to take part in a meeting of G-20
economies that includes the United States, Japan, China and the European Union
here Thursday.
"The leaders agreed it was important for their countries to produce concrete
measures to help overcome the financial crisis as the G-20 London summit will be
held amid a global economic downturn," the South Korean presidential office said
in a press release.
South Korea serves as co-chair of the meeting alongside the summit's former chair
Brazil and current chair Britain to form what is known as the Troika. It will
chair the G-20 summit next year.
The South Korean president played a key role in the first G-20 summit held in
Washington last year as he called for a "stand-still" on protectionist measures.
He was expected to call for a "roll-back" on trade barriers at this week's
meeting as he has noted there are some countries "clearly engaged" in
protectionist measures.
In an earlier interview with the British newspaper Financial Times, Lee said he
will propose that the World Trade Organization release regular reports on
countries engaged in protectionist measures.
"As members of the G-20 Troika, South Korea and Britain agreed to thoroughly
implement the outcome of the upcoming summit in their own countries and in the
international community," the press release said.
The leaders also agreed to expand their countries' bilateral ties while Gordon
promised support for Seoul's membership to his country's Youth Mobility Scheme
that allows foreign students to work while studying in Britain, it said.
The South Korean president arrived here earlier Tuesday and is set for a series
of bilateral meetings with other leaders, including U.S. President Barack Obama
and Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso.
He will leave Friday to return to Seoul.
bdk@yna.co.kr
(END)
The joint call came as the two leaders were set to take part in a meeting of G-20
economies that includes the United States, Japan, China and the European Union
here Thursday.
"The leaders agreed it was important for their countries to produce concrete
measures to help overcome the financial crisis as the G-20 London summit will be
held amid a global economic downturn," the South Korean presidential office said
in a press release.
South Korea serves as co-chair of the meeting alongside the summit's former chair
Brazil and current chair Britain to form what is known as the Troika. It will
chair the G-20 summit next year.
The South Korean president played a key role in the first G-20 summit held in
Washington last year as he called for a "stand-still" on protectionist measures.
He was expected to call for a "roll-back" on trade barriers at this week's
meeting as he has noted there are some countries "clearly engaged" in
protectionist measures.
In an earlier interview with the British newspaper Financial Times, Lee said he
will propose that the World Trade Organization release regular reports on
countries engaged in protectionist measures.
"As members of the G-20 Troika, South Korea and Britain agreed to thoroughly
implement the outcome of the upcoming summit in their own countries and in the
international community," the press release said.
The leaders also agreed to expand their countries' bilateral ties while Gordon
promised support for Seoul's membership to his country's Youth Mobility Scheme
that allows foreign students to work while studying in Britain, it said.
The South Korean president arrived here earlier Tuesday and is set for a series
of bilateral meetings with other leaders, including U.S. President Barack Obama
and Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso.
He will leave Friday to return to Seoul.
bdk@yna.co.kr
(END)
