1. On the sidelines of the 71st session of the UN General Assembly, Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se, together with his UAE counterpart Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, held the second Republic of Korea-UAE strategic dialogue on September 21. In the meeting, the two top diplomats discussed in depth matters of mutual concern, including the ROK-UAE relations; ways to step up substantive cooperation on nuclear power plants, energy and culture; North Korea’s nuclear test; and the situation in the Middle East.

2. Minister Yun noted with appreciation that the ROK and its only strategic partner in the Middle East, the UAE, are seeing their mutually beneficial cooperation deepen not only in traditional areas of cooperation, such as energy and infrastructure, but also in new industries and high added-value areas, including nuclear power plants, national defense, halal food, culture and healthcare. Foreign Minister Abdullah, bringing attention to the steadfast trust built between the two countries through cooperation over a long period of time, voiced hope for more tangible cooperation mainly in such fields as education, research and people-to-people exchanges.

3. Minister Yun, pointing out the gravity of North Korea’s fifth nuclear test, extended appreciation to the UAE government for issuing a statement of condemnation on the heels of the test and asked the UAE government to render strong support to the ROK government on its position regarding the resolution of the North Korean nuclear issue. Minister Abdullah, expressing extreme shock over North Korea’s recent nuclear test, shared Minister Yun’s view of the North Korean move as a grave provocation threatening international security, and mentioned that the UAE will cooperate actively, including in the implementation of Security Council resolutions aimed at resolving the North Korean nuclear issue.

4. The two Ministers discussed the recent developments in the situation in the Middle East. Voicing concern over the harmful effect of the ISIL’s threat on the entire international community, the Ministers agreed on the need for a comprehensive and fundamental solution to the issue. The two countries also agreed to work together on various other issues as responsible members of the international community.

5. After the second strategic dialogue, the two Ministers signed a bilateral memorandum of understanding on mutual visa exemption. They voiced hope that the MOU will help accelerate efforts to boost exchanges between not only the governments and enterprises but also the peoples of the two countries, thereby serving as a cornerstone for closer cooperation between them.


* unofficial translation