The President of the Republic of Korea held a summit with Prime Minister Fredrick Reinfeldt of Sweden this morning on the occasion of his official visit to Stockholm. The two leaders engaged in in‐depth discussions on various issues of mutual concern, including the directions of the future development of bilateral ties, promotion of Korea‐EU collaboration, matters pertinent to the Korean Peninsula, including North Korea’s nuclear problem, and bilateral cooperation in the international arena.

During the summit, the two leaders welcomed the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the diplomatic ties between Korea and Sweden this year. They gave a high evaluation to the fact that bilateral relations have evolved into a close partnership connecting the Asian and European continents based on long‐standing bonds. Building on this progress, the two leaders agreed to make joint efforts to further expand friendly, cooperative relations.

The two leaders agreed that the conclusion of the Korea‐EU FTA would ultimately bring economic benefits to both sides by markedly increasing bilateral trade and investments amidst the global economic crisis. In addition, President Lee and Prime Minister Reinfeldt concurred on the fact that the conclusion of the FTA would send a message to the world that protectionist moves have to be rejected through free trade.

The two leaders shared a recognition that there is much potential for bilateral cooperation in trade and other economic exchanges. They agreed to strengthen collaboration in advanced sciences and high‐tech industries as well as in IT and environment‐friendly technologies, in which both countries have a competitive edge globally. Particularly, based on the advanced technologies of Sweden, they stressed the need to drastically expand cooperation in the field of biogas and atomic energy that is being currently discussed.

President Lee and Prime Minister Reinfeldt urged North Korea to immediately stop missile launches, nuclear tests and other acts that threaten peace on the Korean Peninsula. They concurred that the international community should demonstrate unity and speak with one voice to achieve the denuclearization of North Korea. For now, they continued, it is important for the nations of the world to cooperate in implementing UN Security Council Resolution 1874 that bans the North’s nuclear weapons program. President Lee gave a high evaluation to Sweden’s endeavors to improve human rights conditions in the North and to give humanitarian assistance to the impoverished nation. They decided to make an intensive concerted effort to maintain peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and in Northeast Asia.

The two leaders also saw eye to eye on the need for the international community to closely coordinate bilateral and multilateral efforts to overcome the current global financial crisis. They agreed that green growth strategies are important to tide over the current economic crisis and prepare for the future. They also decided to work closely together for the successful conclusion of negotiations aimed at coping with climate change.

After the summit, President Lee and Prime Minister Reinfeldt attended a signing ceremony of the Korea‐Sweden agreement on the protection of military secrets, which will constitute the legal and institutional base for bilateral military exchanges and for cooperation in other defense matters. They expressed hope that with the early implementation of the accord, the two countries would be able to step up substantial collaboration in the field of technologies and information exchange as well as joint research and development in the area of national defense.