Earlier today, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Dr George W. Vella, held a bilateral meeting with the Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea, Mr Yun Byung-Se. This is the first official visit to Malta by a Foreign Minister from the Republic of Korea since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1965.

The two Ministers referred to the long-standing and excellent ties between the two countries, and underlined the commitment to explore further avenues of cooperation in particular with regard to civil aviation, infrastructural projects, investment and education.  Emphasis was placed on the importance of people-to-people contacts and the ample potential to increase exchanges at this level.

The two sides also agreed to re-energise contacts between respective Foreign Ministries, through the renewal of a Memorandum of Understanding originally signed in 2007.

The two Ministers also exchanged views on regional and international issues as well as on the relations between the EU and the Republic of Korea. Minister Vella outlined the ongoing challenges in the Mediterranean, especially with regards to the security situation in the region.  The Minister also noted that priority will also be given to migration and maritime matters during Malta’s Presidency of the Council of the EU.   Minister Byung-Se briefed Minister Vella on the latest developments in East Asia, as well as the political dynamics between the primary actors in the region.