Visit to ECFA by the South Korean ambassador

On February 19, 2024, ECFA received the Ambassador of South Korea to Cairo, Kim Yonghyon, at his request, accompanied by a diplomat from the Korean Embassy, ​​where he was received by ECFA Chairman Ambassador Mohamed El-Oraby, and ECFA Director, Ambassador Dr. Ezzat Saad.

The meeting took place as follows:

1- ECFA Director gave a detailed presentation about the Council, its organizational structure, activities and members. He also presented an overview of the extended cooperation between the Council and the Korean Embassy in Cairo, which was halted a few years ago, referring to a joint symposium held in cooperation with the Embassy on “the situation in the Northeast Asia region, and the current situation in the Korean Peninsula” on February 23, 2017. Ambassador Ezzat Saad also participated in the third international conference in Seoul on “Middle East and North Africa Issues” on February 14-15, 2017. The Korean ambassador received a draft memorandum of understanding related to cooperation between the two sides, which Ambassador Saad had submitted to the Korean Council for Global Affairs on the sidelines of the conference.

2- The meeting discussed means to enhance cultural cooperation and interaction between the two peoples. In this context, the Korean ambassador expressed his desire to multiply and diversify relations between the two countries in all fields, including economic, technological and military. The meeting also explored opportunities for cooperation between the Council and its counterpart think tanks in Seoul, including the Korean Council on Foreign Relations.

 3- At the level of economic cooperation, the Korean ambassador expressed aspiration for moving forward with the trade agreement between the two countries with its signing and entry into force, adding that Korea can provide materials and goods in the Egyptian market at a lower price, against the backdrop of the desire to promote economic cooperation between them. The Korean ambassador explained that he spares no effort in this regard, by meeting with many officials in Egypt to conclude negotiations on the agreement.

4- During the meeting, the Korean ambassador noted that next year will mark the thirtieth anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Egypt and South Korea, indicating the importance of seizing this occasion to consolidate cooperation at all levels between the two countries. He also affirmed the deep-rooted Korean relations with the Gulf states, expressing the Korean side desire for similar relations with the Egyptian state. He added that this occasion could be celebrated by holding a debate or a round-table discussion between ECFA and its Korean counterpart on Middle East security and bilateral relations.