1. Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Choi Jong Kun, together with Deputy Secretary General for Political Affairs of the European External Action Service (EEAS) Enrique Mora Benavente, will hold the 6th Korea-European Union high-level political dialogue in a virtual format from 4:30 to 6:00 pm, December 11.

° The two sides will have an in-depth discussion on diverse topics, including the way forward for the Korea-EU Strategic Partnership, of which this year marks the 10th anniversary of the establishment; international security cooperation, such as on cybersecurity and counterterrorism; regional and global situations, including on the Korean Peninsula; and collaboration on response to COVID-19.

° Vice Minister Choi, by holding a Korea-Italy Strategic Dialogue on October 30 and a Korea-Spain Strategic Dialogue on December 3 as well as a high-level political dialogue today with the EU that represents 27 countries in Europe, is continuing to step up cooperation with major European countries, Korea’s key diplomatic partners, even amid the COVID-19 situation.

2. The Korea-EU high-level political dialogue is a main consultative mechanism with the EU on political affairs. The upcoming Dialogue is expected to serve as a meaningful opportunity for Korea and the EU to go beyond bilateral cooperation, to share diplomatic strategies in preparation for the new post-COVID-19 international landscape, and to explore ways to step up collaboration on major global challenges.