TCS

Secretary-General Amb. Iwatani Shigeo paid a courtesy visit to EU main organizations on Nov. 26th and 27th, 2013, with an aim to understanding experience of the EU integration process as well as strengthening relationship between the two regional communities. During the meetings, Amb. Iwatani introduced the progress of the trilateral cooperation and the TCS activities this year. The two organizations agreed to strengthen information sharing in the future. The EU side also agreed to offer supports to the TCS capacity building.

The TCS delegation visited European Commission, European External Action Service (EEAS) and the Bureau of European Policy Advisers (BEPA), and met with Mr. Henrik HOLOLEI (Deputy Secretary General, Secretariat General, European Commission), Mr. Viorel BUDURA (managing director and head of the Asia-Pacific Department, EEAS), Mr. Julian Wilson (Head of Unit of Japan, Korea, Australia and New Zealand, EEAS) and other EU officials. The two organizations had fruitful discussions on a range of issues including Northeast Asian situation, EU structure and EU integration history.  The TCS delegation also met Mr. Shiojiri Kojiro, Japanese Ambassador in EU and Mr. Kim Chang-beom, ROK Ambassador in EU.

Amb. Iwatani also participated the EU-Korea Brussels Policy forum on Nov. 25th and delivered the keynote speech to call for experience sharing from the EU to Northeast Asia. In the forum, it was commonly shared by the attendants that the regional cooperation in Northeast Asia needs to be further expedited, and a highly integrated Northeast Asia would be in line with the interest of the EU.

This is the TCS’ second outreach to the EU. Former TCS Secretary General Amb. SHIN Bong-kil visited EU agencies in March, 2013. 

1. Meeting with Mr. Henrik HOLOLEI, Deputy Secretary General, Secretariat General of European Commission 

2. Meeting with Mr. Julian Wilson (Head of Unit of Japan, Korea, Australia and New Zealand, EEAS)

3. Meeting with Mr. Viorel BUDURA, Managing director and head of the Asia-Pacific Department, EEAS

4. Delivery of Keynote Speech in Korea-EU Brussels Policy Forum