1. Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Cho Hyun held “the 1st Republic of Korea-Spain Strategic Dialogue” with Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Spain Fernando Valenzuela in Seoul on April 4. In the meeting, the two sides extensively discussed the way forward for the bilateral relations, the current situation on the Korean Peninsula, and ways to work together on the international stage.

2. The two sides noted with appreciation that the Republic of Korea and the Kingdom of Spain, which will mark in 2020 the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations, have been continuously advancing their relations across the board, including political affairs, economy and culture, on the basis of their shared values, such as democracy and human rights. On that note, they agreed to step up substantive cooperation mainly in their strong areas -- science, technology, energy and construction.

° The Vice Minister and the Secretary of State, welcoming the ongoing increase in bilateral trade, agreed to seek expanded cooperation, including in boosting mutual investment by enterprises of the two countries and building joint presence in third countries.

° The ROK side expressed regret over the decision made by the European Union (EU) in February to impose safeguard measures on steel products; stressed that Korean-made steel is being supplied as intermediate material for the EU’s production of automobiles and home appliances, thereby contributing to not only the job creation but also the economic growth in the EU region; and requested Spain’s assistance so that Korean steel would be considered favorably in the EU’s future review process.

° The two sides agreed to promote cooperation in such areas of science and technology as information and communications technology (ICT) and research and development (R&D), as well as in the field of new and renewable energy in a bid to seek joint responses to the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

3. The Vice Minister and the Secretary of State, sharing the view that promoting mutual understanding between future generations through active people-to-people exchanges between them would spur the development of the ties between the two countries, agreed to jointly seek ways to further activate institutional arrangements, such as the Agreement Between the Government of the Republic of Korea and the Government of the Kingdom of Spain Concerning a Youth Mobility Programme (brought into force in October 2018), that promote exchanges between young generations. 

° Vice Minister Cho, bringing attention to the ongoing increase in the number of Korean visitors to Spain, voiced hope that a larger number of Spaniards would visit the ROK and thereby help to expand two-way people-to-people exchanges.

4. The two sides noted that the ROK and Spain, like-minded countries that share values and principles, have been working closely together in the international arena; and agreed to step up bilateral cooperation on major issues of the international community.

5. The two sides shared assessments of the current situation on the Korean Peninsula and agreed to continue working closely together toward the establishment of a permanent peace on the Korean Peninsula.

° Vice Minister Cho extended appreciation to Spain for its support for the ROK government’s Korean Peninsula policy, asking for the Spanish government’s continued attention to and support for the ROK government’s efforts to move forward the peace process on the Korean Peninsula.

° Secretary of State Valenzuela, highly commending the ROK government’s work to establish peace on the Korean Peninsula, reaffirmed Spain’s strong support and commitment to cooperation in that regard.

6. The two sides also exchanged views on the ROK-EU cooperation and major developments in the international community, such as those regarding the withdrawal of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland from the EU.

7. The 1st round of the ROK-Spain Strategic Dialogue, the elevated version of the bilateral Political Consultation, took place merely two years after the 11th Political Consultation held in 2016. Held ahead of the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations in 2020, the Dialogue is seen to have served as an opportunity to consult on ways for bilateral cooperation; and to discuss in depth situations on the Korean Peninsula and in other major regions of the world, as well as international issues.

* unofficial translation