EU Presidency Statement - Peace, security, and reunification of the Korean Peninsula

Mr. Chairman,

I am pleased to take the floor on behalf of the European Union. The countries of Central and Eastern Europe associated with the EU (Bulgaria, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Czech Republic, Romania, Slovakia and Slovénia), the associated countries (Cyprus, Malta and Turkey) and EFTA countries which are members of the European Economic Area (Iceland and Norway), align themselves with this declaration.

The European Union supports the draft resolution on "Peace, Security and reunification on the Korean Peninsula", which has been co-sponsored by the members of the Union. This draft, jointly prepared by the Republic of Korea and by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, exemplifies progress achieved in relations between the two countries with the holding of the inter Korean Summit last June.

The European Union has for long pleaded in favour of direct dialogue between the two Koreas. It welcomed the historic Summit in Pyongyang. It considers it to be an important step on the way to reconciliation between the Republic of Korea and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. The Union congratulates President Kim Dae-jung and National Defence Commission Chairman Kim Jong-il for their efforts.

For several years the European Union has supported the efforts to maintain stability and reach a lasting peace settlement in the Korean Peninsula. The European Union supports the "Sunshine policy" undertaken with courage and determination by President Kim Dae-jung whose personal commitment to peace has been recognized by the award of the Nobel Prize. The Union also supports the Quadripartite talks between the two Koreas, China and the United States for a permanent peace settlement, as well as the framework agreed in 1994 between the United States and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

The Union is an active member of the executive board of the Korean Peninsula Energy Development Organisation (KEDO) whose work improves regional stability and helps to uphold the international nuclear non-proliferation regime. The European Union has also given assistance, since 1995, including substantial food aid to alleviate food shortages in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and the humanitarian problems which arise from these shortages.

The Inter-Korean Summit of June opens the way to further progress in dialogue and reconciliation between the two Koreas. The Union welcomes the steps both sides have already taken in implementing the South-North Joint Declaration adopted in Pyongyang, notably family reunions, economic co-operation and dialogue on military issues. The European Union calls on both countries to continue their efforts in this regard.

To support this progress the European Union wishes to encourage the Democratic People's Republic of Korea to continue the inter-Korean reconciliation. The European Union therefore plans to implement, in the short term, the following measures which were adopted by the Council of the European Union on 9 October:

1. Stepping up of the political dialogue making it possible not only to gain a better idea of the views of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, but also to stress the concerns and expectations of the European Union.

2. Increasing the Democratic People's Republic of Korea access to experience gained in the area of confidence-building measures.

3. Implementation of preparatory measures to possible medium-term technical assistance in priority sectors.

4. Examination of the possibilities of improving the Democratic People's Republic of Korea access to the European market.

Implementation of these measures will be regularly assessed. Depending on the progress made, further measures may be envisaged.

During the Asian European Summit Meeting (ASEM), ten days ago in Seoul, the members of the European Union and the Asian countries participating in ASEM, expressed together their support for the ongoing reconciliation and co-operation between the Korean Republic and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. ASEM partners affirmed their willingness to build confidence and to enhance peace and security on the Korean Peninsula and in the region.

The resolution adopted today by the General Assembly encourages the Republic of Korea and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea to continue their efforts to lay a solid foundation for peaceful reunification. Furthermore this resolution invites the Members States to support the inter-Korean process. The European Union fully associates itself with this call and intends to contribute to this process.

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