The President met with France''s foreign minister Bernard Kouchner at Cheong Wa Dae on Mar. 19. This was the first visit to Seoul by a French foreign minister since 2003.

At the presidential office they discussed Korea‐France collaboration, Korea‐EU FTA ratification, joint efforts for G‐20 summits and issues related to the Korean Peninsula.

The President requested to the foreign minister that Korea and France work together for the ratification of the Korea‐EU free trade agreement and also strengthen their bilateral ties in economy and commerce.

The President called attention to the return of the Oegyujanggak books. Oegyujanggak was the royal library of the Joseon Dynasty (A.D. 1392‐1910) and the books are now preserved in the National Library of France. Minister Kouchner said he would do all he could to cooperate on the issue.

The foreign minister expressed his appreciation for President Lee''s leadership in promoting environment‐friendly growth at the Copenhagen climate change conference, and hoped that Korea and France would join hands in dealing with the issues of sustainable growth and climate change.