1. Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se met with his French counterpart Laurent Fabius in Paris, France, on July 17. In their meeting, the two top diplomats engaged in a comprehensive and in-depth discussion on the agreement on the Iranian nuclear program and the North Korean nuclear issue; climate change; Republic of Korea-France cooperation; and situations in different regions of the world.

2. The two Ministers, appreciating the July 14 agreement on the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) to resolve the Iranian nuclear issue, shared the view that a faithful implementation of the JCPOA will contribute to strengthening the international nuclear non-proliferation regime and peace and stability in the Middle East.

° In response to a detailed explanation by Minister Fabius on the outcome of the nuclear negotiations, Minister Yun commended France for its role in the negotiations and conveyed the willingness of the ROK to join international efforts to implement the agreement. Minister Fabius affirmed that the agreement will be implemented in close cooperation with the ROK and the rest of the international community.

3. The two Ministers shared the view that the conclusion of the JCPOA is attributable mainly to the unity among the countries involved and their delivery of a resolute and consistent message. They drew a common understanding that the international community should maintain the momentum built by the JCPOA and make further efforts to resolve the North Korean nuclear issue, the last-remaining challenge facing the international nuclear non-proliferation regime.

° Furthermore, the two sides agreed to work more closely together to deter any further provocations from North Korea and to improve the human rights situation in the country.

4. Minister Fabius spoke about the progress in the preparations for the 21st session of the Conference of the Parties (COP21) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), highlighting the need for the ROK and France to collaborate toward its success. Minister Yun, commending France for its active leadership as the chair country of COP21, expressed the ROK’s willingness to work actively with France to increase the political momentum for addressing climate change and to resolve key relevant issues and other remaining challenges for a successful establishment of a new climate regime.

5. The two Ministers noted with appreciation that the two rounds of bilateral summit talks in 2013 and 2014, respectively, had helped expand and advance the bilateral relations in various sectors, including political affairs, economy, education, culture, and international issues. In particular, with regard to the “2015-2016 ROK-France Years” event to take place from September 2015 to mark the 130th anniversary of the bilateral diplomatic relations in 2016, the two top diplomats agreed to work actively together to prepare thoroughly for the event.

° They also reaffirmed their willingness to work together on the follow-up measures to the bilateral summit talks, including those involving the proposed conclusion of an agreement to render support to the two countries’ entrepreneurs and trainees wishing to expand their presence in each other’s countries -- an agreement designed to make it easier for the two countries’ businesspeople to obtain visas to each other’s countries; the proposed construction of a Korean Pavilion in Paris' international students residence; and the envisioned relocation of the Korean Cultural Center in Paris.

6. Minister Yun commended France for its contributions not only to the negotiations on the Iranian nuclear issue but also on various other issues, including the financial crisis in Greece and the situation in Ukraine. He voiced hope to work bilaterally and multilaterally with France, one of the permanent members of the UN Security Council, in response to which Minister Fabius expressed agreement and support.

7. In their second meeting in 2015 following the one held on the sidelines of the Davos Forum in January, the two Ministers reviewed bilateral issues; shared understanding on a wide range of issues of international concern, including the Iranian and North Korean nuclear issues and COP21; and agreed to hold their strategic dialogue in Seoul at the earliest possible date.


* unofficial translation