1. On March 8, Minister of Foreign Affairs Chung Eui-yong had a telephone conversation with Mr. Josep Borrell, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, for the first time since his inauguration. They exchanged views on matters of mutual interest, including bilateral relations between Korea and the European Union (EU), cooperation in COVID-19 response, and situations on the Korean Peninsula and in other regions.

※ High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy is the head of the European External Action Service, and coordinates the EU’s foreign affairs, presiding over the Foreign Affairs Council.

2. The Foreign Minister and the High Representative took note that Korea and the EU have continued high-level exchanges such as the ROK-EU Virtual Summit in June 2020, despite the COVID-19 pandemic, and agreed to continue enhancing their strategic partnership in various fields, including trade, investment, and response to COVID-19 and climate change.

o In particular, Foreign Minister Chung asked for the EU’s continued support in the supply of COVID-19 vaccines produced in Europe to Korea, and High Representative Borrell agreed to cooperate closely in supplying those vaccines to Korea.   

3. High Representative Borrell expressed the EU’s strong support for Korea’s efforts to bring about the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and improvement of inter-Korean relations, and Foreign Minister Chung asked for the EU’s continued attention and cooperation in advancing the Korean Peninsula peace process.