President Lee Myung-bak yesterday called for cooperation between Korea and Australia to promote green growth in the Asia Pacific region.

During a meeting with Korean and Australian business leaders, he proposed the two countries will lead regional efforts to tackle the economic crisis and climate change through environment-friendly businesses.

"I expect the two countries will strengthen practical cooperation by jointly responding to climate change," he told a green business conference in Sydney.

"I hope Korea and Australia could jointly advance into green industry projects in third countries and create a green growth belt in Asia-Pacific," he said.

Lee arrived in Sydney before a summit with Minister Kevin Rudd in Canberra on Thursday to discuss cooperation on economy, security, energy and other fields.

"I hope my visit will contribute to sharing the green growth visions between the two countries and set an important momentum to promote cooperation in the field," he added.

He later visited the School of Photovoltaic and Renewable Energy Engineering at the University of New South Wales, the world`s leading research center for solar and other new energies.

He also met with Nicholas Moore, chairman of Macquarie Group, which has agreed to help arrange $300 million worth of foreign investment in Korea`s infrastructure and development of alternative energy sources.

In an interview with The Australian, he said there was much room for bilateral cooperation to lead global efforts to fight global warming and push new eco-friendly development.

He noted that Australia is a world leader in carbon capture and sequestration and renewable energy technologies.

"Korea and Australia are in a unique position to bridge the gap between developing and developed countries on climate change," he said.

He said that China has become the nation emitting the most greenhouse gases and the United States is a very close second and on a per capita basis it is still No. 1 in carbon emissions.

"Prime Minister Rudd and I have spoken a lot about this in detail," he added.

The two leaders will declare the start of formal negotiations for a bilateral free trade agreement between the two countries, Cheong Wa Dae officials said.

The two nations concluded preliminary FTA talks in November. Australia is Korea`s 11th largest trading partner with two-way trade volume estimated at $22.6 billion in 2008. Seoul`s exports and imports to Canberra reached $5 billon and $17.6 billion, respectively.

Lee and Rudd are also expected to unveil new security cooperation involving high-level dialogues and global peace-keeping operations.

Korea has contributed troops to assist Australian security efforts in East Timor. Both countries are security partners with the United States in the region, Iraq and Afghanistan.

As for the global economic crisis, the two leaders will call on the world to fight rising protectionism and enhance coordination of stimulus measures, Lee`s aides said.

"We know very well from our experience that this (protectionism) will only lead to a market contraction and thus delay the recovery of the global economy," he told the forum.

In the interview, he reiterated opposition to a bigger government involvement in the market though it is inevitable for now due to the economic crisis.

"The role of government will increase but it should not grow exponentially and (its new size) should not remain. Once this crisis is over and done with, it must go back and leave room for the private sector," he said.

He is on an eight-day trip of Australia, New Zealand and Indonesia.

On Tuesday, he and New Zealand Prime Minister John Key agreed to launch FTA negotiations and promote bilateral cooperation in green growth, agriculture, education and science.

On Friday, he is expected to unveil a major diplomatic initiative in ties with Asia Pacific, his aides said.

In the interview, he noted the growing power of East Asia.

"East Asia in particular will exert much greater influence. China will grow to be on a par with the United States but will not replace the United States," he said.

"However, we are entering an era where the United States will not be the sole superpower. It is necessary for the United States to consult other nations."

Lee also responded positively to Rudd`s initiative to build a Asia-Pacific community by 2020 with a structure similar to the European Union.

"In principle, I do recognize the importance of having such a body and I say let`s continue to discuss it and see where it goes," the President said.

On North Korea, he said its leader Kim Jong-il`s stable control will be better for inter-Korean relations.

"It appears from Chairman Kim`s recent activities that there are not any serious problems for him to continue ruling North Korea, and I think it is better to have a stabilized North Korean regime at this point in time for inter-Korean dialogue and cooperation," Lee said.

Regarding the North`s apparent preparations to test-launch missiles, he said, "Such strong actions may place North Korea in a better position in negotiations, but in the long run, they will not be so rewarding to North Korea in the international community."

Later in the day, Lee met with New South Wales Governor Marie Bashir and opposition Liberal Party leader Malcolm Bligh Turnbull and attended a dinner hosted by New South Wales Premier Nathan Rees.

By Hwang Jang-jin



(jjhwang@heraldm.com)