Welcoming Remarks
by H.E. Yoon Soongu,
Deputy Minister for Political Affairs,
Ministry of the Foreign Affairs

May 3, 2018
Four Seasons, Seoul

His Excellency Michael Reiterer, Ambassador of the European Union to the Republic of Korea,
His Excellency Jan Kubis, Special Representative of the Secretary-General, United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq,
Excellencies, Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,

Let me begin by extending my warmest welcome to each and every one of you. It is my honor to co-host this meaningful event this year again. My sincere gratitude goes to our co-host, the European External Action Service, for its close and valuable cooperation. Actually this event would not have occurred without their tireless effort and commitment. Since 2015, this conference has served as a platform where deeper understandings on the Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) region are enhanced through in-depth discussion and dialogue.

Distinguished guests,

This year has seen critical moments for the Republic of Korea. Actually we are passing through exciting moments in this peninsula. Until the end of last year, the world paid much attention to the next possible provocations from North Korea. The seeds of peace, however, started to grow in Pyeongchang at the 2018 Winter Olympic Games. Athletes from the two Koreas marched into the stadium together, paving the ways for peace and denuclearization in the Korean peninsula. Last week, the Republic of Korea has taken a historic step towards peace by resuming inter-Korean summit in eleven years. We will continue to build momentum and forge favorable conditions for further productive negotiations.

Turning to the situations in the Middle East, the region is shrouded in a series of complicated conflicts, tensions, and instability. As we witness the recent catastrophic situations in Syria and Yemen, we still have a long way to go before peace and stability to be restored in the region. In Syria alone, more than 13 million refugees are in dire need of humanitarian assistance. Tensions between Palestinians and Israelis are still high while the situation for the Palestinian refugees is miserable. The unpredictable future of the Iranian nuclear deal is another source of instability to the region and around the world. Under such complicated circumstances, some may look at the Middle East and say peace is not possible.

The challenges we face now in both Korean peninsula and the Middle East have different yet similar aspects: stability in the two regions are closely intertwined with that of the rest of the world. And it leaves us all with the same task: cooperation beyond borders.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

When it comes to international cooperation beyond borders, the Republic of Korea has stood shoulder-to-shoulder with the EU in bringing about peace and stability in the MENA region. As a member of the global coalition to Defeat ISIS, Korea and the European Union have actively participated in international counter-terrorism efforts such as to impede the flow of foreign fighters and to stabilize liberated areas.

In January, the EU adopted a new strategy for Iraq as part of the EU's continued commitment to support the people and the government of Iraq. On our part, the Republic of Korea pledged more than 21 million dollars for reconstruction of Iraq this year at the International Conference for the Reconstruction of Iraq held in Kuwait last February. Iraq is now opening a new chapter in its history waiting for parliamentary elections on May 12th, which will eventually select the leaders who will address the next round of challenges in post-ISIS Iraq.

Distinguished Guests,

At this juncture, I do not think we should only paint a gloomy picture for the prospect of the MENA region. Instead, it’s time to look at the bright side and think out of the box. As there are neither shortcuts nor one-size-fits-all solutions to peace, it needs a multifaceted analysis to address the root causes of the instability in the long-run. I believe that in-depth discussion and analysis at this conference can provide breakthroughs for practical solutions toward a better future.

Five different topics will be covered at the two-day conference: Conflicts and Coalitions in the Middle East, Post-ISIS in Iraq and Syria, the Future of Maghreb, the Prospect of the Iranian Nuclear Deal, and the Palestinian-Israeli Issue. I find these topics to be more timely than ever, and I hope for a fruitful discussion to build a more peaceful and prosperous future for the people in the MENA region.

Excellencies, Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,

Your invaluable thoughts from the discussions will contribute to spreading the seeds of peace from the Korean Peninsula to the MENA region as well. We also welcome productive ideas which inspire us. I am confident that this conference will be a valuable opportunity to pool our collective wisdom and deepen our understanding of the region. I wish you all two days of fruitful exchange of brilliant opinions and ideas.

Thank you again. /End/