ASEAN - Korea establish comprehensive strategic partnership

The 25th ASEAN-Korea Summit unanimously adopted the Joint Statement on the establishment of the ASEAN-Korea Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, marking a new development milestone on the occasion of the 35th anniversary of the establishment of relations (1989 - 2024).

South Korea is currently ASEAN's fifth largest trading partner, with two-way trade reaching 196.64 billion USD and is the sixth largest FDI investor in ASEAN, reaching 11 billion USD in 2023.

ASEAN leaders and South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol

PHOTO: NHAT BAC

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol said that over the past 35 years, bilateral relations have developed remarkably. Total trade turnover has increased 23 times, investment has increased 80 times and people-to-people exchanges have increased 37 times.

Mr. Yoon Suk Yeol affirmed that he will continue to prioritize strengthening solidarity and cooperation with ASEAN countries, training experts in technology and artificial intelligence with a plan to train 40,000 students...

At the conference, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh expressed his delight at the official establishment of a comprehensive strategic partnership between ASEAN and the Republic of Korea and proposed three orientations for implementing ASEAN-Republic of Korea relations commensurate with the new level.

One is to contribute more responsibly to peace , security, stability and prosperity in the region. The Prime Minister welcomed the Republic of Korea's continued active support for ASEAN's common stance on the East Sea as well as efforts to build the East Sea into a sea of ​​peace, stability, cooperation and sustainable development.

On the ASEAN side, the organization is ready to coordinate and promote relevant parties to increase dialogue, towards long-term peace and stability on the nuclear-free Korean peninsula.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh speaks at the conference

PHOTO: NHAT BAC

Second, we need to promote economic cooperation more strongly, focusing on connecting economies, cultural cooperation, tourism, and education and training. In particular, trade and investment cooperation needs to develop in a more balanced and sustainable direction, making better use of the ASEAN-Korea Free Trade Agreement (AKFTA) and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).

At the same time, promote the signing of joint documents, create a transparent and favorable cooperation mechanism, open larger markets for each other, promote cultural exchanges and cooperation, tourism and education and training.

Third, take more drastic actions to promote inclusive, comprehensive growth and sustainable development, especially for new growth drivers, and open up new cooperation horizons of strategic significance such as innovation, high technology, renewable energy, digital transformation, green transformation, climate change response, semiconductors and AI...

Continue to promote the Mekong-Korea Partnership, actively contribute to sub-regional development efforts, ensure inclusive growth, narrow the gap and achieve equitable and sustainable development in the region.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/asean-han-quoc-thiet-lap-quan-he-doi-tac-chien-luoc-toan-dien-185241010152920764.htm