1. Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se will visit Italy and Malta on July 29 and preside over the “2016 meeting of the heads of the Republic of Korea’s diplomatic missions in Europe” in Rome on July 30.

2. During the first visit to Italy by an ROK Foreign Minister in 13 years, Minister Yun will hold a bilateral meeting with his Italian counterpart Paolo Gentiloni.

° The two top diplomats will discuss in depth ways to make substantial progress in the ROK-Italy partnership on creative economy, which was forged during President Park Geun-hye’s official visit to Italy in 2014 to mark the 130th anniversary of diplomatic relations.

° The two sides will also discuss in depth ways for the ROK and Italy, a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council from 2017 to 2018, to work together in addressing the nuclear and human rights issues of North Korea.

3. During the first visit to Malta by an ROK Foreign Minister since the establishment of the ROK-Malta diplomatic relations in 1965, Minister Yun will pay a courtesy call on Prime Minister Joseph Muscat and hold a meeting with Foreign Minister George William Vella. On the occasions, the two sides will discuss ways to further enhance friendly and cooperative ties between the two countries that marked their 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2015.

° In the meeting between the Foreign Ministers of the ROK and Malta, the EU chair for the first half of the year 2017, the two sides will discuss ways to step up coordination on North Korean issues with the EU, which is enforcing unprecedentedly tough unilateral sanctions against North Korea, and to address various challenges facing Europe, including terrorism, violent extremism and refugees.

4. On July 30, Minister Yun will preside over the “2016 meeting of the heads of the ROK’s diplomatic missions in Europe,” in which the Minister, together with the other ranking diplomats, will comprehensively review the achievements in the ROK’s diplomacy in Europe since the launch of the Park Geun-hye government and future diplomatic tasks. They will also discuss ways to implement diplomacy in Europe in line with the government’s policy objectives.

° Amid the ROK’s efforts to enhance its cooperative ties with European countries since the UK decision to withdraw from the EU and frequent terrorist attacks and accidents, the meeting is expected to serve as a significant opportunity for intensive discussions on ways to better protect the ROK nationals and to step up cooperation on North Korean issues with the EU, which is enforcing sanctions against North Korea.


* unofficial translation