President Moon Jae-in and French President Emmanuel Macron held a summit today on the sidelines of the G20 Summit. The two Presidents discussed a wide range of issues, including how to promote traditional relations of friendship and cooperation between Korea and France as well as how to enhance substantive cooperation and work together at regional and global levels.

The two heads of state reached an agreement to work closely together by having discussions at anytime and anyplace during the next five years of their tenures given the fact that they both began in office at approximately the same time.

President Moon noted the steady progress of the comprehensive partnership for the 21st century built between Korea and France in 2004. He suggested that the two countries step up their friendly and cooperative ties.

The two leaders agreed that strategic dialogue between the foreign ministers and a meeting between the defense ministers of the two countries should be held on a regular basis. They also concurred on the need to put in place a minister-level consultative body in such areas as the economy, education and science.

Fully relating to the importance of creating job opportunities and securing growth engines, the two Presidents agreed to enhance cooperation in various sectors, including fostering of startups, new industries, aerospace, the defense industry and nuclear energy.

Speaking of his fond memory of his visit to Korea in his capacity as Minister of Economy, Industry and Digital Affairs in November 2014, President Macron said that the Korea-France Joint Forum for Innovative Industry was launched during his visit. He expressed satisfaction over the smooth progress in joint R&D in new industries between the two nations.

President Macron also expressed the hope that bilateral cooperation would be further diversified on occasions of the Korea-France economic ministers` meeting on the sidelines of the ASEM Economic Ministers` Meeting to be held in September in Seoul and the industry ministers` meeting on the sidelines of the Korea-France Joint Forum for Innovative Industry to be held in November in Paris.
 

In this connection, President Moon suggested that the two nations intensify cooperation in future industries building upon the two countries` complementary technologies and industrial competencies.

Presenting the mascot for the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, President Moon noted the fact that France was a winter sports powerhouse and expressed the hope that many French people would visit Korea during the Olympics.

In response, the French President expressed the hope that people-to-people exchanges and cooperation between the two countries would be expanded and the wish for the success of the 2018 PyeongChang Olympics.

President Moon said he was grateful to France for taking an active role so far in addressing the North Korean issue, including its nuclear program, as a permanent member of the U.N. Security Council and a key player of the European Union. The two leaders agreed to closely cooperate and communicate in the process of seeking fundamental ways to denuclearize North Korea, utilizing all possible means such as sanctions and dialogue.

They also agreed to further strengthen cooperation on pending global issues, including climate change and free trade.

The bilateral summit was held in a very friendly and amicable atmosphere and was regarded as having established a basis for the deepening and development of the comprehensive partnership for the 21st century by establishing a relationship of trust between the two leaders.