1. The 1st Republic of Korea-United Arab Emirates (UAE) Foreign and Defense Vice Ministerial (2+2) Meeting took place at a Lotte Hotel, Seoul, at 11:30-14:30, October 12. In the Meeting, which came in a follow-up to the bilateral summit talks held during President Moon Jae-in’s official visit to the UAE in March, the two sides discussed ways to advance the ROK-UAE special strategic partnership; the situations on the Korean Peninsula and in the Middle East; cooperation on national defense and the relevant industry; and cooperation on the international stage.

※ The ROK and UAE head delegates to the Meeting were Vice Minister of National Defense Suh Choo-suk and Deputy Minister for Political Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Yoon Soon-gu; and Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Defence Matar Al-Dhaheri and Assistant Under-Secretary for Political Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Khalifa Al-Marar, respectively.

2. In his opening remarks, Vice Minister of National Defense Suh Choo-suk expressed hope that the 2+2 Meeting will help take to a higher level bilateral cooperation on foreign affairs and national defense that has been moving forward based on mutual trust. Meanwhile, Deputy Foreign Minister Yoon Soon-gu, calling the 2+2 Meeting a symbol of close cooperation between the ROK and the UAE as special strategic partners, noted that the event signified the institutionalization of cooperation on foreign affairs and national defense.

° Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Defence Al-Dhaheri and Assistant Under-Secretary for Political Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Al-Marar of the UAE voiced hope that the two countries, as partners spearheading efforts toward peace and stability in their regions, will strengthen cooperation in the fields of foreign affairs and security as well.

3. The two sides, conveying satisfaction with the progress in the ROK-UAE special strategic partnership, agreed to step up bilateral communication through diverse dialogue channels, including the foreign ministerial strategic dialogue and the high-level consultation on nuclear energy.

° In addition, the two sides, taking note of the faithful implementation of the measures to follow up on the bilateral summit talks held in March, agreed to further enhance the already-close cooperative ties based on mutual trust and faith.

4. With respect to regional situations, the ROK side explained the progress in the inter-Korean relations  as well as that toward the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula in the wake of the 2018 Inter-Korean Summit Pyeongyang held in September; extended appreciation to the UAE government for its support; and asked for the country’s continued attention and cooperation.

° The UAE delegation, offering congratulations on the recent progress in the inter-Korean relations, expressed hope that such improvements in the inter-Korean relations will set a good example for the Middle East, as the latter seeks to resolve its complicated situation.  

° With regard to the situation in the Middle East, the UAE side spoke of the UAE government's support for peace and stability in the Middle East and the legitimate government of Yemen, as well as its humanitarian assistance efforts.

° The ROK side commended the UAE’s positive role and efforts in seeking a political and peaceful resolution of Middle Eastern issues, pursuing counter-terrorism, and preventing extremism.

° The UAE side asked the ROK, the former’s special strategic partner, to play a more active role for peace and stability in the Middle East.

5. The two sides, drawing a common understanding that closer cooperation on national defense and the relevant industry will help serve national interests of both countries, agreed to strengthen the institutional framework, including the 2+2 Meeting platform, for mutually beneficial cooperation in the field.

° In particular, the UAE side highly commended the achievements and contribution of the ROK’s Akh Unit, which is opening up a new horizon in the ROK-UAE cooperation on national defense.

6. The inaugural ROK-UAE Foreign and Defense Vice Ministerial (2+2) Meeting is seen to have served as an opportunity to create momentum for tangible progress in cooperation on foreign affairs and national defense between the two countries, whose relationship was upgraded to special strategic partnership during the ROK President’s visit to the UAE in March.

* unofficial translation