KF뉴스레터-Korea and Italy Focus on a More Creative Partnership

Korea and Italy Focus on a More Creative Partnership

The Korea-Italy Forum held its 4th session in Milan, on March 15, 2010, which was co-hosted by the Korea Foundation and the City of Milan and ICE-Italian Trade Commission, together with support from Italy’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Economic Development.

The bilateral forum was attended by Korean and Italian delegates who represented the government, legislative, business, science/technology, and cultural sectors of their countries. With this year’s gathering coinciding with the 120th anniversary of the establishment of Korea-Italy diplomatic relations, the participants focused more intently on efforts to realize more cooperative two-way relations.

In-depth Discussion
This forum was an especially timely opportunity to bolster bilateral cooperation in order to better respond to recent international difficulties, including the global economic downturn, and the upcoming G-20 summit in Korea, as well as to propose practical and specific efforts to collaborate in the areas of trade/investment and science/technology. Moreover, the rich history and culture of Milan provided an inspirational setting for the discussions.
During the plenary session, attention was focused on defining an overall direction and framework to further promote Korea-Italy relations, which had received a notable boost from Italian President Giorgio Napolitano’s state visit to Korea in 2009. Following welcoming remarks by Chairman Morandini and Korea Foundation Acting President Kim Sung-yup, the business sector representatives exchanged their thoughts on related matters, such as the Korea-EU FTA, promotion of bilateral trade and investment, and the creation of a Korea-Italy business group. The delegates expressed confidence that the relations between Korea and the EU, including Italy, would advance into a more strategic partnership upon the conclusion of the Korea-EU FTA and Framework Agreement. Thereafter, Secretary of State Craxi noted that Korea and Italy, which have upgraded their relations with the recent conclusion of an aviation pact, can do more to cooperate with each other in such areas as trade, investment, science/technology, and global governance. In particular, as the global economy enters a recovery phase, she expects closer cooperation in trade and investment, at the institutional level, to be instrumental for reinforcing bilateral economic relations in the future. Korea’s National Assembly member, Song Min-soon, and Director-General for Asia and Oceania of Italy’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Attilio Massimo Iannucci, concurred that the two countries should pay closer attention to the activities of UN Peacekeeping Forces, especially in such regions of conflict as Afghanistan and Lebanon.
The Korean side called on Italy to step up its efforts to support nuclear non-proliferation and peaceful resolution of the North Korean situation. Kim Dae-sik, Deputy Director-General, European Affairs Bureau of Korea’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, emphasized the significance of closer bilateral cooperation in regard to pending global issues, including climate change and UN reform. Kim Hyung-kook, Chairman of Presidential Committee on Green Growth, introduced Korea’s green growth strategy to proactively address energyand environment-related problems, along with stressing Korea’s concerted efforts to successfully promote green grown initiatives as new engines of economic growth. In addition, Adriano Gasperi, Secretary General of the Science Committee of Milano Expo 2015, Ambassador Yim Sungjoon, and Michele Perini, President of Fiera Milano described the status of preparations for the upcoming Yeosu Expo 2012 and Expo Milan 2015 projects, while noting the potential for bilateral economic relations to be further advanced through these expo events. Mayor of Milan Moratti pointed out that Milan, Incheon, and Yeosu are key hubs for transportation and economic activity, which strengthen their capability to promote bilateral cooperation in matters related to science/technology, maritime affairs, and the food industry.
The themes of trade/investment, culture/tourism, and science/technology were discussed during individual concurrent sessions in the afternoon. At the trade/investment session, Amedeo Teti, Director General for International Policy of Italy’s Ministry of Economic Development noted that the Korea-EU FTA still needs to work out various technical matters, which will require detailed discussions with the European executive committee. Also related to the Korea-EU FTA, I mentioned a need to be aware of the intangible consequences of expanded trade/investment relations, which by nature are not as apparent as quantifiable economic measures. Along with identifying the strengths and weaknesses of Korea-Italy trade relations, Lee Seung-cheol, Secretary-General of the Federation of Korean Industries, offered specific suggestions to upgrade bilateral investment, such as a “design-digital industry” to facilitate strategic endeavors.
In regard to culture/tourism cooperation, Myungji University Professor Kim Seokchul presented an ambitious vision to develop a Milano Design City project in Songdo international business district, while Davide Rampello, President of the Triennale di Milano, proposed the establishment of a design museum and development of cultural products. Oh Jeecheol, senior advisor of Yulchon, Attorneys at Law, encouraged Korea to learn from Italy’s vast experiences and its advanced tourism industry, in order to formulate a tourism strategy to attract more foreign visitors to Korea, and to launch programs to actively introduce Korea to the people of Italy.
During the session on science/technology, which was moderated by Remo Ruffini, President of the International Center for Relativistic Astrophysics (ICRA), Lee Sangbae, Senior Researcher of the Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), praised the results of ongoing Korea-Italy efforts to implement exchange programs in five areas. Along with emphasizing the importance of science/technology cooperation between the two countries, Giorgio Spada explained the status of bilateral cooperation in the aerospace sector, while Inje University Professor Lee Hyung-won mentioned achievements made in the astrophysics area.

Enhanced Status of Korea
The enhanced standing of Korea was readily evident throughout the forum. This favorable impression resulted from such factors as Korea’s rapid recovery from the global financial crisis, Italy’s recognition of the advanced IT and technology of Korea, and the commitment of Korea to actively participate in PKO activities and green growth initiatives. Of particular note, the two sides agreed on the potential of a new business model that would integrate the strengths of Italy’s design expertise with Korea’s innovative technology. In addition. such a collaborative approach could also be applied to culture/tourism endeavors.
Also praiseworthy was the high-quality presentations made by the Korean side. In recent years, at the numerous country and regional forums conducted by the Korea Foundation, it has been highly encouraging to see the extent to which the Korean participants have shown noticeable improvement in the presentation of their position papers and formulation of meaningful proposals for the promotion of tangible cooperation. Major newspapers in Milan included considerable coverage of the forum discussions.
The City of Milan arranged visits to relevant organizations in addition to the forum sessions for a brief overview of Milan’s artistic and cultural resources, which revealed the imaginative creativity of Italy’s renowned design capability. In addition to its contributions to Korea-Italy bilateral exchange, this year’s forum also served a venue for the exchange of ideas among the Korean delegates, who represented a diverse range of sectors.

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Korea and Italy Focus on a More Creative Partnership

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Korea and Italy Focus on a More Creative Partnership

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