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16Th Inter-Parliamentary Meeting Between the European Parliament and the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea

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16Th Inter-Parliamentary Meeting Between the European Parliament and the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT 2009 - 2014 Delegation for relations with the Korean Peninsula 16th Inter-parliamentary Meeting between the European Parliament and the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea 10 January 2013 Brussels A delegation from the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea visited the European Parliament in Brussels on 10 January 2013 on the occasion of the 16th inter-parliamentary meeting between both Assemblies. The South Korean delegation was led by Mrs LEE Meekyung, Chairman of the Delegation for Relations with the European Union in the National Assembly (Democratic United Party). The European Parliament's Delegation for Relations with the Korean Peninsula is chaired by Mr Herbert REUL (Germany, EPP). This inter-parliamentary meeting was dedicated to four main issues: key political and economic developments in Korea and the EU, the situation on the Korean Peninsula and inter-Korean relations, and the development of the EU-Korea Strategic Partnership. The previous inter-parliamentary meeting took place in November 2011 in Seoul. Due to the parliamentary elections in April 2012 and the presidential elections in December 2012, no inter-parliamentary meeting took place that year. The Korean delegation also met with the Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, Mr Elmar Brok, the Chairman of the International Trade Committee, Mr Vital Moreira, and was received by Vice-President Georgios Papastamkos. Meeting with Mr Elmar Brok, Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee Mr Brok welcomed the Korean delegation to the European Parliament on the occasion of the first inter-parliamentary meeting following the April 2012 parliamentary elections in Korea. He underlined that the Republic of Korea is a very close partner of the European Union in Asia and a very active member of the international community. We share the same values and have achieved convergence on many CR 932/932114EN 1/11 PE 503.499 issues of global character. The relationship between Korea and the EU goes well beyond trade. The Free Trade Agreement with Korea is the most ambitious and comprehensive FTA negotiated and concluded by the EU so far, and also the first one that had to be submitted to the European Parliament for consent, following the Treaty of Lisbon. However, the EU-Korea Framework Agreement envisaged a wide catalogue of cooperation fields. Chairwoman Lee referred to her meeting with Chancellor Angela Merkel in Berlin a few days earlier, during which the question of energy supply following the nuclear disaster of Fukushima was discussed. She noted that, contrary to Germany, the Republic of Korea did not decide to discontinue nuclear energy and regretted that no more was being done to move towards an energy mix that included more renewable sources. As regards inter-Korean relations, Chairwoman Lee underlined the need to propose more confidence-building measures. The North Korean nuclear programme continues to pose a serious threat not only to the region, but also globally in terms of non- proliferation. She also regretted the appalling human rights situation in North Korea, which apparently has not improved following the recent leadership transition. The Korean delegation also expressed concern about the recent nationalistic tone coming from Japan, and referred to a number of provocations in connection with the colonial past. A deterioration of the bilateral relationship between Korea and Japan and a certain escalation in territorial disputes were expected by Korean interlocutors. In the wider context of regional security, reference was made to the fact that a new leadership is taking office in both Koreas, Japan and China, but it was difficult at this early stage to see what the consequences would be. In reply to observations made on the relationship with Japan, Chairman Brok pointed out that he was more concerned about the role of China, about the sustainability of its development policy, and about its increases in military spending, which are a signal of a more assertive approach in the region. Ms Han Jeonungae (Democratic United Party) underlined that the sanctions regime has changed nothing in North Korea, rather to the contrary, they have created a vicious circle. In reply to that, Chairman Brok referred to the position of the European Parliament, which favours keeping channels of dialogue open with Pyongyang, while expressing concern about developments in the nuclear issue and human rights. Meeting with Mr Vital Moreira, Chairman of the International Trade Committee Mr Moreira pointed out at the outset that the EU-Korea Free Trade Agreement had been in force now for one and a half years. This FTA is the most ambitious and comprehensive agreement that the EU has concluded so far and sets a benchmark of ongoing and forthcoming negotiations with other partners. For the time being, the Chairman noted that it was too soon to evaluate the full impact of the agreement, but the signals received so far are generally positive. He reminded that the automotive sector in Europe was a sensitive area in the negotiations. Last but not least, he informed the Korean delegation that the European Parliament's Committee on CR 932/932114EN 2/11 PE 503.499 International Trade had recently examined the state of implementation and that the general view was a positive one, while more progress is expected on regulatory cooperation, in pharmaceuticals and in the food sector. Mrs Lee pointed out that the National Assembly also recently assessed the implementation of the FTA and reached a similar conclusion. The FTA with the European Union was less controversial than the agreement with the United States, although the agricultural sector remains a very sensitive area. She pointed out that, on the one hand, in accordance with 2012 statistics, foreign car sales had increased in Korea by 24%, of which 73% were from European manufacturers. On the other hand, she noted that 64% of Korean cars on the EU market are manufactured in Europe. Chairman Moreira also noted that one of the consequences of the EU-Korea FTA has been the launch of negotiations between the EU and Japan. Opening of the inter-parliamentary meeting Mr Herbert Reul, Chairman of the European Parliament's Delegation for Relations with the Korean Peninsula, officially opened the inter-parliamentary meeting and welcomed the delegation of the National Assembly of Korea. This was the first time that both delegations met following the legislative elections of April 2012 in Korea. As is customary, the co-chairs, Mr Reul and Mrs Lee, invited the representatives of the executive on both sides to make a short introductory statement on latest developments in EU-Korea relations. H.E. Mr KIM Chang-beom, Ambassador of Korea, underlined that the EU and Korea share the same fundamental values. We have just adopted two instruments, the Free Trade Agreement and the Framework Agreement, which will lay the foundation for strengthening the relationship even further in coming years. He also recalled that leaders on both sides are keen to develop the strategic partnership between the EU and South Korea. Last but not least, the Ambassador underlined the importance of the legislative elections of April 2012 and the presidential elections of December 2012. It is the first time that Korea elects a female President. He also stressed that the European Union is regarded as a familiar and reliable partner by the new President. Mr Marcel Roijen intervened on behalf of the European External Action Service. He pointed out that relations between the EU and Korea set the benchmark for other relationships, in view of its dynamism, convergence of positions and achieved results. The EU-Korea FTA is a flagship agreement that sets the standards to follow for other negotiations. Mr Roijen also informed Members about the intention of the High Representative, Baroness Ashton, to visit Korea in the course of 2013, an important year as we mark the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations. Latest political developments in the EU and in Korea Both delegations updated each other on the latest political developments. On the European side, Mr Mikolasik (EPP, Slovakia) expressed his satisfaction about the fact that the EU has been awarded this year's Nobel Peace Prize. This recognition comes at a challenging moment in European integration, given, among others, all the policy CR 932/932114EN 3/11 PE 503.499 decisions required to meet the ongoing sovereign debt crisis in some Member States of the EU. He also informed the Korean delegation about the priorities of the current Irish Presidency, and the imminent accession of Croatia to the EU. He also stressed the need to fill the EU-Korea strategic partnership will added value. Mrs Yang Seoungjo (Democratic United Party) pointed out that her party, the main opposition party, lost the parliamentary elections in April 2012 and the presidential elections in December 2012. She updated Members on the main issues of the electoral campaigns, underlining, in particular, the need to improve social services and create more opportunities for SMEs, after years of an economic policy that was geared towards prioritising big conglomerates. Mrs Yang went on to regret the serious polarisation that has emerged in the Korean society following the past elections. She pointed out that social policy will have to be on top of the agenda in order to address that polarisation. The Chairwoman, Mrs Lee, pointed out that it was necessary to re-consider the current institutional balance of power, as, in her view, the presidency is far too strong in comparison with the parliament. Economic situation in the EU and in Korea and bilateral trade Mr Han Jeoungae (Democratic United Party) pointed out that it was too early for a full evaluation on the implementation of the EU-Korea Free Trade Agreement that came into force in July 2011. International trade is crucial for Korea, given its lack of natural resources.
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