1. Foreign Minister Yun Byung‐se met with Romania’s Foreign Minister Titus Corlăţean on July 12 and discussed with him ways to make substantive progress in the strategic partnership between the Republic of Korea and Romania established during the visit of Romanian President Traian Băsescu to the ROK in 2008.

° Minister Corlăţean is on an official visit to the ROK on July 11‐12. His visit marks the first of its kind by the Foreign Minister of an EU member state since the launch of the new government in the ROK.

2. Minister Yun elaborated on the ROK government policies, including the Korean Peninsula trust‐building process and the Northeast Asia peace and cooperation initiative, and asked Romania to play a more active role in the EU’s continued support for the policies. Minister Corlăţean responded that not only Romania but also the EU supports the ROK government’s policy visions. The two countries agreed to work more closely together.

° The two sides agreed to launch a joint research project for the governments and the academic circles of the two countries to share Romania’s experience in regime transition following its revolution in 1989.

* Romania has consistently supported the ROK government’s policy toward North Korea, as demonstrated by its continuous issuance of statements condemning North Korea’s provocations.

3. The two Ministers discussed various and specific ways to promote substantive cooperation between their two countries with a view to substantively implementing the bilateral strategic partnership.

° Romania has a great potential for cooperation as a gateway to Central and Eastern Europe with an easy access to the European market since its accession to the EU in January 2007 and due to its outstanding workforce. The two sides noted that Korean companies have expanded their presence in the country and discussed ways to actively support them.

‐ Minister Yun, in particular, requested that the Romanian government cooperate and render support so as to grant Korean companies business permits or licenses in an expedient manner, and streamline immigration procedures for Korean nationals. In response, Minister Corlăţean proposed holding a working‐level consultation on consular affairs at an early date.

° The two sides also agreed to pursue a bilateral agreement on working holiday program to boost youth exchanges between the two countries.

° The ROK side stated that it will support the Knowledge Sharing Program, which has been under way since 2012 between the ROK and Romania to share the ROK’s experience in economic development.

° In view of the need to strengthen bilateral cooperation in culture, sports and tourism, the two Ministers agreed to conclude a bilateral action plan on cultural exchanges in order to support private cultural exchanges, including those for spreading Hallyu (Korean Wave) in Romania.

4. The two Ministers agreed to use various mechanisms to consult closely with each other on bilateral, regional (Northeast Asia and the EU) and global issues. In addition, they agreed to vitalize high-level consultations, including direct telephone diplomacy between the Foreign Ministers.

5. During his official visit to the ROK, Minister Corlăţean paid courtesy calls on the country’s leading figures, including Prime Minister Jung Hong‐won and Vice Speaker of the National Assembly Lee Byung‐seok. He also visited universities and some of the Korean companies that have invested in Romania. On those occasions, the two sides exchanged views on the development direction of bilateral ties.

6. The official visit of Minister Corlăţean to the ROK and the ROK‐Romania Foreign Ministers’ meeting served as opportunities to reaffirm the momentum of development of the bilateral strategic partnership and establish a foundation necessary for the two countries to make their ties more substantial.

                          Spokesperson and Deputy Minister for Public Relations of MOFA

* unofficial translation