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| Romanian Foreign Minister Teodor-Viorel Melescanu, left, meets with his South Korean counterpart, Kang Kyung-wha, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Seoul, Nov. 23. He visited Korea Nov. 22-24 to further develop a "strategic partnership" between the two countries. /Yonhap |
Korea, Romania mark 10th year of 'strategic partnership'
By Park Yoon-bae
Romanian Foreign Minister Teodor-Viorel Melescanu said that his country wants to further develop relations with South Korea substantially as the two countries celebrate the 10th anniversary of a "strategic partnership" this year.
He said Romania was among the first European countries to conclude a strategic partnership with South Korea which is currently Romania's only strategic partner in Asia.
"At a practical level, this celebration is giving us a new impetus to find the optimal ways to unlock the full potential of cooperation between our two countries," the minister told The Korea Times.
He believes there is room to open new avenues of cooperation although the level of commitment from both sides has been very high since the conclusion of strategic partnership in 2008.
During his visit to Korea from Nov. 22 to 24, he had a meeting with Prime Minister Lee Nak-yon and Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha to discuss concrete measures to increase bilateral cooperation in all fields, including politics, trade, investment, culture and people-to-people contacts.
Minister Melescanu also said the upcoming Romanian presidency of the EU Council will have positive implications on the development of bilateral ties. Romania is scheduled to take over the presidency Jan. 1 next year.
Supports Moon's peace efforts
When asked about inter-Korean detente and the ongoing denuclearization talks between the United States and North Korea, he said Romania is supportive of President Moon Jae-in's efforts for reconciliation and peace on the peninsula.
"As Europeans we have learned, over time, that only through diplomacy and negotiation can we reach lasting peaceful solutions," the minister said. "What we have been seeing in the Korean relations and in the dialogue between the U.S. and North Korea since the beginning of this year, is without any doubt a positive development."
He emphasized that any progress would not have been possible without the crucial contribution and tenacious hard work of President Moon.
"For this reason, Romania will continue to uphold the crucial importance of the leadership role of President Moon in the ongoing diplomatic process."
He also said Romania will continue to apply the EU's long-pursued "critical engagement" with North Korea, combining pressure with open channels of communication, intended to persuade the North that it will have a bright future through full adherence to international law, denuclearization and engagement with the international community.
More Korean investments
On the economic front, Melescanu called on South Korean companies to expand their investment in Romania, especially in infrastructure, energy, IT and health care.
"An increased Korean investment presence in Romania will pay dividends not only in the economic field, but also in terms of political ties, image, and, why not, overall stronger bonds between Romanians and Koreans," he said.
Noting that Romania has evolved into a technologically modern economy, which makes it attractive for investment, he cited his country's EU membership, its favorable location, its skilled workforce and its friendly business climate as advantages.
Melescanu boasted that Romania was the fastest-growing country in the region in 2017 with a GDP growth rate of 7.1 percent. This year, the rate is estimated to be about 4 to 5 percent.
He said Romania is gateway to the European single market with 500 million consumers, one of the largest in the world. He added that the country will have access to 43 billion euros in EU grant funding by the end of 2020.
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