President Moon Jae-in spoke by phone to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan at the secretariat building of Yeomingwan in the Cheong Wa Dae compound for 30 minutes from 6:00 this evening. President Erdogan wholeheartedly congratulated President Moon on his election and said he looked forward to visiting Korea, a close friend of Turkey. He went on to say that solidarity between the two countries has been strengthened through ties forged in blood, expressing the hope that it would continue to be developed based on mutual respect.

Noting that Korea is Turkey’s second largest trading partner in East Asia, President Erdogan added that he expected bilateral trade to further increase in consideration of the economic size and potential of the two nations and proposed that the bilateral free trade agreement be utilized more. He also highlighted the importance of seeking a trade balance between the two countries, saying Turkey is incurring a trade deficit. He continued to point to Korean businesses making huge investments in countries around the world while investing only US$1.5 billion in Turkey. He added that 2017 marks the 60th anniversary of diplomatic ties and has been designated the year of mutual cultural exchanges, asking for cooperation from the Korean Government for the opening of a Turkish cultural center in Seoul to bolster cultural interaction.

President Moon thanked President Erdogan for sending him a letter of congratulations immediately after his election and calling him in person today. Though geographically far apart, he added, he and the Korean people regard Turkey as a very close and friendly nation to the extent of calling it a brother country. He also said that he understood the Turkish people have profound affection for Korea as well.

President Moon continued to say that he looked forward to even greater friendship, exchanges and cooperation between the two peoples marking the significant year of the 60th anniversary and the year of cultural interaction. Mentioning President Erdogan’s three visits to Korea while serving as Prime Minister, President Moon invited him to visit the country at a convenient time.

President Moon promised to take interest in what the Turkish President called for—trade balance improvement, investments by Korean businesses and the establishment of a Turkish cultural center. He expressed the hope that Seoul and Istanbul would remain partners for the realization of the 2023 Vision of Turkey. He looked forward to the further expansion of the already substantive bilateral cooperation from infrastructure to such fields as the economy, social affairs and culture. In this regard, he added, it is very meaningful as a symbol of binational cooperation for Korean businesses to join the Çanakkale 1915 Bridge project, the longest suspension bridge in the world, currently under construction in celebration of the centennial of the Turkish Republic in 2023.

Noting that the two countries, both being members of the G20 and MIKTA, are expanding cooperation on the international stage, President Moon expressed the hope that Turkey, the chair country of MIKTA for the year, would be able to play a significant role in the main areas of cooperation this year, including the economy, trade, immigration, refugees and counterterrorism efforts.

President Moon expressed gratitude to Turkey for its cooperation and full support for the South Korean Government’s efforts to solve the North Korean nuclear issue as close cooperation within the international community is vital to put a restraint on additional provocations by the North and to achieve denuclearization. The President went on to say that he would simultaneously pursue sanctions and dialogue with the aim of the complete dismantlement of North Korea’s nuclear programs to attain the goal of the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula as early as possible, asking for Turkey’s support for the process.

President Erdogan replied that North Korea’s continuous nuclear and missile development is in violation of UN Security Council resolutions and a threat to global peace. The Turkish President continued to say that international issues need always to be solved peacefully and to that end, the Six-Party Talks is the best forum, hoping that it would be resumed at the earliest date possible. Then, the President said that a crisis had already occurred in his region and the effect of the incident is very extensive, adding that he is making every effort to solve the Gulf state issue through dialogue. The President went on to say that Korea is a country with a considerable international influence, asking for joint cooperation on the Korean part to solve the issue.

Expressing his understanding, President Moon said he hoped President Erdogan’s efforts for mediation would be successful. The President continued to say that Korea would make joint efforts to settle the issue in an amicable way.

President Erdogan replied that he was looking forward to meeting President Moon during the G20 Summit to be held on July 7 and 8 in Germany, expressing the hope to have a bilateral summit if possible.

President Moon said he hoped for the same and wanted it to be discussed through diplomatic channels, adding that he was looking forward to meeting President Erdogan in person in Germany. The President went on to say that he was glad to exchange opinions with President Erdogan on how to develop Korea-Turkey relations and issues of mutual interest. Finally, President Moon said he was looking forward to meeting President Erdogan at an opportune occasion in the near future and exchanging views in more depth to upgrade bilateral relations and enhance cooperation on the North Korean nuclear issue.