1. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs held the 5th Republic of Korea (ROK)-European Union (EU) Cyber Policy Consultation and the 2nd meeting of the ROK-EU Specialised Working Group on Counter-Terrorism in Brussels, the Kingdom of Belgium, on June 28, local time. During the meetings, the two sides discussed ways to step up cooperation on cybersecurity and counter-terrorism.

° Mr. Kim Gunn, Ambassador for International Security Affairs, and Mr. Pawel Herczynski, Director for Security and Defence of the European External Action Service, were the ROK and EU head delegates to the Consultation that was also attended by officials of cybersecurity- and counter-terrorism-related agencies.

2. In the Cyber Policy Consultation, the two sides shared their strategies and policies regarding cybersecurity, and reaffirmed their commitment to cooperation in creating an open and safe cyberspace.

° In particular, the two sides shared the contents of the ROK’s National Cybersecurity Strategy and the EU’s Council decision concerning restrictive measures against cyber-attacks threatening the Union or its Member States, which had been announced respectively in April and May 2019; and discussed major current issues concerning cybersecurity, including the United Nations discussions on cybersecurity norms, confidence-building measures and capability-building on cybersecurity, and responses to cybercrime.

3. In the following meeting of the Specialised Working Group on Counter-Terrorism, the two sides shared assessments on the current terrorist threat environment, and discussed ways to work together on counter-terrorism in Asia and Europe.

° The two sides discussed such matters as the relocation of foreign terrorist fighters; preventing and countering violent extremism; and countering the financing of terrorism. They also reviewed agenda that they could cooperate on at the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) Inter-Sessional Meeting on Counter-Terrorism and Transnational Crime to be co-chaired by the EU.
 
4. The ROK-EU Cyber Policy Consultation and the meeting of the ROK-EU Specialised Working Group on Counter-Terrorism are seen to have served as opportunities to reaffirm the two sides’ similar positions on cybersecurity and counter-terrorism, as well as to seek not only bilateral cooperation on these issues but also ways to respond jointly on multilateral platforms, including the UN and the ARF. 

* unofficial translation