Opening Remarks
by H.E. Yun Byung-se
Minister of Foreign Affairs

5th MIKTA Foreign Ministers’ Meeting
May 22, 2015

Good morning, colleagues. I am very pleased to welcome all of you to the 5th MIKTA Foreign Ministers’ Meeting.

Looking back, since the first MIKTA meet-ing in September 2013, we have come a long way, in conceptualizing and institu-tionalizing MIKTA even informally. MIKTA is still an evolving process, and already, has become a unique, cross-regional group, with an exquisite balance of diversity and commonalities. Indeed, MIKTA’s rise has been nothing less than meteoric. In fact, some have compared MIKTA’s potential to that of BRICS. Experts such as Professor John Ikenberry of Princeton have noted that in a world of deepening geopolitical rifts, MIKTA gives the world order a new geopolitical heft.

Indeed, the international community has high expectations for MIKTA. So today, as the chairperson, I would like to share some thoughts on what we should be looking for in today’s meeting.

First, is boosting MIKTA’s visibility. Today’s adoption of the MIKTA Vision Statement is a significant milestone. The Vision State-ment will crystalize MIKTA’s identity as a constructive agenda-setter in reforming global governance, as well as a bridge-builder between developed and developing countries. We will also unveil the official website, which will be MIKTA’s face to the world.

Second, is enhancing MIKTA’s utility. Thanks to the distinct perspectives and ex-periences of the members, MIKTA has a singular comparative edge on a broad range of global issues. As a matter of fact, in the course of our ministerial meetings, we have been dealing with issues such as UN Security Council reform, peacekeeping, counter-terrorism, migration in Syria and Myanmar, development cooperation, cli-mate change, cyber threats and the Ebola outbreak.

Third, is strengthening MIKTA’s solidarity and connectivity. We will be launching var-ious exchange programs, including those for students and diplomats, as well as the new MIKTA academic network. Later this year, we will set up a business forum too. Furthermore, the MIKTA Speakers of Par-liament Meeting, to be held on the 2nd of July, will be a major step forward in ex-panding our channels of cooperation.

So, MIKTA is truly going from strength to strength at an amazing pace. Now, I believe that it is the right time for us to take MIKTA to the next level. In this regard, I would suggest that we need to think about how to upgrade MIKTA’s discussions. For instance, we could use occasions such as the upcoming UN General Assembly or the G20 as well.

Once again, I am delighted to welcome my MIKTA friends, and look forward to our discussions today. Thank you very much.