1. The fifth Republic of Korea-France consultation on Africa policy will take place in Seoul on February 26, with the directors-general for African affairs of the two countries’ Foreign Ministries leading their respective delegations.

* The ROK and French delegations to the meeting will be led by Director-General for African and Middle Eastern Affairs Kwon Hee-seog and his French counterpart Jean-Christophe Belliard, respectively.

2. At the forthcoming policy consultation, the two sides will exchange views on the situation in Africa and coordinate their policies toward Africa.

° The ROK side will explain the ROK’s policy to strengthen its diplomacy toward Africa through increased contribution to the region, including in the fields of development cooperation, peace and security.

° The two sides are expected to discuss ways to work together in Africa, including in the fields of development cooperation, peace, security, the eradication of piracy and consular affairs.

3. The ROK and French governments, agreeing on the need for bilateral cooperation on Africa, have held the ROK-France consultation on Africa policy since 2009. The fourth consultation was held in Paris in November 2014, and the fifth will be held on February 26, 2016.

4. The ROK government, as part of efforts to strengthen its diplomacy toward Africa, has been holding policy consultations with major countries that have a large presence in Africa. In 2016, starting with the policy consultation with France, the ROK government will seek to continue dialogue on Africa with other major countries.


* unofficial translation