Remarks, Bilateral Meeting with He Moon Jae-In, President of the Republic of Korea
12 June 2021
PRIME MINISTER
Your Excellency, it is wonderful for us to meet again in person. It has been some time but I am very grateful that we have been able to speak in between times as we have combatted one of the biggest challenges our nations have had to faced.
South Korea and Australia have come through COVID incredibly well. I commend you on your strong leadership in South Korea both in suppressing and containing the virus but also on very strong economic performance.
Both Australia and South Korea have come through COVID to date with stronger economies than before the pandemic while at the same time having considerable relative success in suppressing the virus and its devastating health impact on our communities. So I congratulate you, Your Excellency.
PRESIDENT MOON
Mr Prime Minister, it is a great pleasure to meet you in person in this meaningful year that marks the 60th anniversary of our diplomatic relations.
Australia has elevated the status of the Asia-Pacific region with Mr Mathias Cormann being elected as the Secretary General of the OECD.
Australia’s response to the COVID crisis has become a model for the world under your strong leadership.
I know that we are pleased that Korea was invited to the G7 Summit this year together with Australia, our everlasting friend and partner and our two countries will contribute to make the G7 Summit a huge success as we work to build a more inclusive international order.
Amid rapid changes in the international order with the outbreak of coronavirus and transition to low carbon and digital economy, co-operation between friends and partners with shared values has become more important and I hope [inaudible] work together in ensuring the stability of supply chains and strengthen partners with a low carbon technology and hydrogen energy.
And I also hope through our meeting today we will be able to further upgrade our friendly ties and jointly contribute to regional peace by working hand in hand firmly in infrastructure as well as defence and defence industry areas.
PRIME MINISTER
Thank you, Your Excellency. I look forward to discussing all of those issues with you here today. That is a very full agenda.
One that I also hope we can discuss is that we will be able to welcome you to Australia soon at some point. It is a matter we have discussed before. Perhaps hiking in Tasmania! [Inaudbile] particularly in our 60th year, which we join in celebrating with you.
https://pmtranscripts.pmc.gov.au/release/transcript-43449
