1. The 2^nd Republic of Korea (ROK)-United Arab Emirates (UAE) Foreign and Defense Vice-Ministerial (2+2) Meeting took place in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday, October 2, from 11:30 to 14:30.

○ Vice Minister of the ROK Ministry of National Defense Park Jae-min and Deputy Minister for Political Affairs of the ROK Ministry of Foreign Affairs Yoon Soon-gu on the ROK side; and Undersecretary of the UAE Ministry of Defence Matar Al-Dhaheri and Assistant Minister for Political Affairs of the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Khalifa Shaheen Al-Marar on the UAE side, attended the meeting. They discussed ways to advance the ROK-UAE “Special Strategic Partnership”; substantive cooperation; defense and security cooperation; cooperation on the international stage; and regional situations.

2. The two sides noted that their bilateral relations are developing into a level equivalent to the special strategic partnership through active high-level exchanges, as can be seen from summit-level exchanges between President Moon Jae-in and Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi were implemented in less than a year, as well as through close cooperation in diplomacy and national defense.

○ The two sides conveyed satisfaction with the progress in issues which were discussed in the 1^st ROK-UAE Foreign and Defense Vice-Ministerial (2+2) Meeting such as strengthening bilateral communication channels and the UAE Crown Prince Mohammed’s visit to the ROK. Furthermore, the head delegates of the two countries agreed to regularly review the progress in bilateral cooperation through institutionalized communication channels including this Foreign and Defense Vice-Ministerial Meeting; the 1^st Special Strategic Dialogue between ROK and UAE Foreign Ministers; Steering Committee between ROK and UAE Defence Vice Ministers; and the 2^nd High-level Consultation on Nuclear Cooperation. They also agreed to discuss ways forward for future cooperation.

○ In celebration of the 40^th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the ROK and the UAE, the two sides agreed to step up bilateral exchanges and cooperation on various occasions such as the Expo 2020 Dubai. In addition, they also agreed on maintaining close cooperation in the field of nuclear energy, a symbol of the mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries.

- On top of that, they agreed to work closely together in security issues including counter-terrorism; maritime security; and cyber security.

○ The two sides commended that bilateral cooperation in national defense and the defense industry is underway on the basis of utmost trust, and expressed satisfaction with the progress in high-level exchanges in the field of defense on diverse occasions such as the International Defense Exhibition and Conference (IDEX) held in Abu Dhabi in February 2019 as well as the Seoul International Aerospace and Defense Exhibition (ADEX) scheduled to take place in Seoul this October.

- In particular, the UAE side highly commended the achievements and contribution of the ROK Akh Unit’s, and asked for the ROK’s continued attention to and support for the ROK Unit.

3. The two sides held in-depth discussions on regional situations including the Korean Peninsula and the Middle East. They particularly shared concern about the recent escalation of tensions in the Middle East, and agreed on the significance of peace and stability in the Middle East.

○ The ROK side requested the UAE side’s continued attention to and cooperation on the ROK government’s efforts towards complete denuclearization and the establishment of a lasting peace on the Korean Peninsula. The UAE side, in response, commended the ROK government’s efforts and voiced its continued support.

○ With regard to the recent attacks on Saudi Arabia’s oil facilities, the UAE side underscored the need of the international community’s cooperation in a bid to minimize adverse impact of the heightened tensions in the Middle East on the global economy.

- The ROK side agreed that the Middle East is crucial for international peace and global economy in terms of energy security, and mentioned that the ROK government will closely cooperate with the international community, including the UAE, in order to restore peace and stability in the region.

4. The 2^nd Vice-Ministerial Meeting is seen to have institutionally bolstered the ROK-UAE special partnership upgraded in the wake of President Moon’s visit to the UAE in March 2018; contributed to consolidating bilateral trust and friendship; and discussed the way forward for concrete and substantive cooperation between the two countries.