<New Year's Greetings> Shared values for peace and prosperity - EU

Graphics by Song Ji-yoon
EU Commission President von der Leyen highlighted EU priorities in her State of the Union Address: making Europe strong and secure, boosting our competitive edge, fostering the green and digital transition. 

As the international scenario becomes ever more erratic, we shall strengthen international partnerships with like-minded democracies, like Korea. 

Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine is now into its fourth year. It constitutes a blatant breach of international law. The people of Ukraine are fighting for freedom and independence. 

We need more pressure and a full and effective implementation of sanctions for Russia to come to the negotiating table. The international community must come together to uphold respect for core universal values. 

Against this backdrop, continued support for Ukraine remains central. Ukraine’s security is Europe’s security. And North Korea’s continuing military support for Russia’s illegal war has shown clearly that the security of Europe and of the Indo-Pacific are interconnected. 

The EU is committed to a just and lasting peace in Ukraine in line with the principles of the UN Charter. Ensuring the sovereignty and lasting security of Ukraine shall be an integral part of a peace agreement. 

In today’s turbulent times, the EU will focus on its ability to compete. We will strengthen our technological sovereignty and support investment in key technologies, including Artificial Intelligence. The EU will foster its economic security by reducing strategic dependencies, securing supply chains and by deepening partnerships with like-minded countries such as Korea. 

The green and digital transition shall proceed hand in hand. The EU is staying the course on its path to climate neutrality by 2050. But the triple challenge of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution demand a global endeavour. The EU will continue to build its global partnership to achieve the Paris climate targets. 

With the passing of time, the EU-Korea strategic partnership has developed across the board, gaining in strength and depth, including through a Security and Defence Partnership. The EU-RoK Free Trade Agreement was signed in 2011, the first of its kind in Asia. It has been complemented by a Digital and Green Partnership, covering the most innovative sectors of our economies. 

Korea is the first Asian partner to have joined as full associate member “Horizon”, the EU flagship research programme. Korean students also benefit from Erasmus plus, spending time in European academia as many European students also study in Korea. 

Together with Korea, a trusted partner and friend, the EU will continue to advance cooperation across all areas of our strategic partnership. Our shared values will guide our actions in the year ahead as we work to build a more secure, peaceful, and prosperous world. Ugo Astuto, EU Ambassador to South Korea (EU website caption)
*The author is the EU Ambassador to South Korea.

 
Ugo Astuto, EU Ambassador to South Korea