Minister to visit Indonesia, Australia, New Zealand

Foreign Minister Yu Myung-hwan today embarks on a three-nation trip to Indonesia, Australia and New Zealand as part of Korea`s efforts to strengthen ties with the South Asia-Pacific countries, the Foreign Ministry said yesterday.

"This trip is part of the government`s `New Asian cooperation diplomacy,` and we expect it will provide an opportunity to expand Korea`s diplomatic boundary," the ministry said.

Yu`s visits come at the invitation of the foreign ministers of the three countries, the ministry added.

On his first leg, Yu will visit Jakarta to meet his Indonesian counterpart Hassan Wiradjuda. They will discuss ways to improve bilateral strategic partnership, promote trade and investment and cooperate in Indonesia`s development projects, the ministry said.

They will also share views on how to reinforce bilateral ties between Korea and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations including details on the Korea-ASEAN summit meeting slated for June, according to the ministry.

On Thursday, Yu will move to Australia where he will discuss a broad range of pending issues with Australian Foreign Minister Stephen Smith.

The ministers will focus on the issues of increasing exchanges of senior officials, and expanding cooperation in security, economy and trade. They will also exchange views on the political landscape of Northeast Asia and South Pacific regions.

During his stay in New Zealand from Saturday, Yu will have talks with his counterpart Murray McCully to seek wide-ranging cooperation with the new government of New Zealand, which was launched in November last year, the ministry said. The foreign ministers will also touch upon the issue of how to cooperate in regional and global issues.

"Through the foreign minister`s trip to South Asia-Pacific countries, our government will seek to enhance cooperation with Indonesia and Australia, both members of G20, in coping with the global financial crisis, and strengthen partnership with those countries who maintain similar positions on the regional and multilateral diplomatic stage," the ministry said in a statement.

By Jin Dae-woong



(davidpooh@heraldm.com)