ID :
61158
Mon, 05/18/2009 - 18:33
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://www.oananews.org//node/61158
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President vows better ties, increased cooperation with ASEAN By Byun Duk-kun
SEOUL, May 18 (Yonhap) -- South Korean President Lee Myung-bak vowed Monday to boost his country's economic cooperation with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and for improved relations in all other areas, including the cultural and diplomatic sectors.
"Asia's role and responsibility in the international community remained
relatively small in the past. But in recent years, especially as we entered the
21st century, Asia has emerged as a great power in the world in economic and many
other aspects," Lee said in emphasizing better ties between Korea and the
10-member ASEAN.
The president also called for joint efforts to fight the global economic crisis,
saying no country can overcome the crisis on its own.
As a way of increasing financial cooperation within the region, Lee said the
countries must work to build a strong bond market within the region and fight all
forms of trade protectionism.
"It has been 20 years since South Korea and ASEAN established diplomatic ties and
over half a century since Korea began exchanges with some of ASEAN's members," he
said in a meeting with some 30 journalists from ASEAN states.
The South Korean president is set to hold a special summit with leaders of the
regional body on June 1-2.
Lee said the upcoming summit, to be held on South Korean resort island of Jeju,
will be an important opportunity to strengthen ties between Korea and Southeast
Asian nations, as well as to begin free trade.
"Korea and ASEAN will sign an investment treaty at the upcoming summit,
concluding negotiations for a free trade agreement that will include goods,
services and now investment, which, I believe, will significantly deepen the
relationship between the two sides," he said.
ASEAN is already South Korea's third-largest trading partner next to the United
States and China, while Korea is the fifth-largest to ASEAN, Lee noted.
"With the signing of the investment treaty, I think we will see an increase in
our economic cooperation, as well as volume of trade," said Lee.
Still, the president said the countries must continue efforts to expand their
cooperation, especially in dealing with international or regional issues, such as
climate change.
"Green growth is not a matter of choice, but it is a path we must take to fight
climate change and other challenges facing the world, and that is why Korea is
looking forward to working with other Asian nations on the issue," he said,
noting Seoul has set aside US$200 million for a regional program called the East
Asia Climate Partnership.
bdk@yna.co.kr
(END)
"Asia's role and responsibility in the international community remained
relatively small in the past. But in recent years, especially as we entered the
21st century, Asia has emerged as a great power in the world in economic and many
other aspects," Lee said in emphasizing better ties between Korea and the
10-member ASEAN.
The president also called for joint efforts to fight the global economic crisis,
saying no country can overcome the crisis on its own.
As a way of increasing financial cooperation within the region, Lee said the
countries must work to build a strong bond market within the region and fight all
forms of trade protectionism.
"It has been 20 years since South Korea and ASEAN established diplomatic ties and
over half a century since Korea began exchanges with some of ASEAN's members," he
said in a meeting with some 30 journalists from ASEAN states.
The South Korean president is set to hold a special summit with leaders of the
regional body on June 1-2.
Lee said the upcoming summit, to be held on South Korean resort island of Jeju,
will be an important opportunity to strengthen ties between Korea and Southeast
Asian nations, as well as to begin free trade.
"Korea and ASEAN will sign an investment treaty at the upcoming summit,
concluding negotiations for a free trade agreement that will include goods,
services and now investment, which, I believe, will significantly deepen the
relationship between the two sides," he said.
ASEAN is already South Korea's third-largest trading partner next to the United
States and China, while Korea is the fifth-largest to ASEAN, Lee noted.
"With the signing of the investment treaty, I think we will see an increase in
our economic cooperation, as well as volume of trade," said Lee.
Still, the president said the countries must continue efforts to expand their
cooperation, especially in dealing with international or regional issues, such as
climate change.
"Green growth is not a matter of choice, but it is a path we must take to fight
climate change and other challenges facing the world, and that is why Korea is
looking forward to working with other Asian nations on the issue," he said,
noting Seoul has set aside US$200 million for a regional program called the East
Asia Climate Partnership.
bdk@yna.co.kr
(END)
