Korea, Germany Can Bridge Gap Between Europe and East Asia
By Kim Jong-chan
Staff Reporter
German Ambassador to Seoul Norbert Baas said Germany and Korea can play an important role in promoting understanding between Europe and East Asia.
Saying ``we are living on one continent," Baas expressed his hope that the dream of a road and train connection between Seoul, Berlin and Paris would one day come true.
In his opening speech at German World 2008, a science fair to display sophisticated products and services characteristic of Germany's cutting-edge technologies and lifestyle, he said, ``To achieve more, our governments, our research communities and our companies need to adjust and refine strategies." The exhibition, which opened Thursday, will continue until Sunday at the COEX in southern Seoul.
``We have to know more about what is going on in our countries. We can do a lot together. This is the strong reason being having the German World fair here in Seoul," he said.
The ambassador said Korea will be a major partner country at Germany's Hannover Fair in April next year. The fair is one of the largest industry exhibitions in the world.
He said, ``Our economies have the potential to build even stronger partnerships in global markets."
Baas said it was very encouraging to see German and Korean companies engaging more and more in the joint development of future technologies.
For instance, he said, ``Tide power, solar power and wind power can offer huge markets when we pool our resources and research efforts. We will have to attach growing importance to cope with climate change through the opportunities created by new environmentally friendly products and services."
He mentioned the significant European dimension of ``our relationship" ``The EU is Korea's second largest trading partner. We are negotiating a free trade agreement and we share the values and commitments of highly developed democratic societies. These are good reasons to work for a lively and substantive European-Korean future." The Korean-German relationship began 125 years ago with the signing of a treaty of friendship and trade.