Bush to Visit Korea in July
By Kim Yon-se
Korea Times Correspondent
WASHINGTON ― Another summit talks between President Lee Myung-bak and U.S. President George W. Bush will be held in Korea this summer.
At a press conference, held after their summit talks at U.S. presidential retreat Camp David over the weekend, Lee said, ``I invited Bush to visit Korea this summer. He accepted my proposal.''
Bush will attend the G-8 Summit in Hokkaido, Japan on July 7-9. After the meeting, he is likely to visit Seoul on July 10-11, presidential aides said.
Lee also said that he is really grateful to Bush and his wife Laura Bush for their hospitality and to U.S. citizens for their friendship toward South Korea.
The two leaders also agreed to continue working closely not only at the bilateral level, but also at the multilateral forums such as the United Nations.
The sectors of their cooperation will include nonproliferation of weapons of mass destruction, global coalition against terrorism, disaster relief, countering transnational crime and pandemic diseases, and advocating human rights and democracy.
Recognizing that climate change and energy security pose serious challenges to sustainable development of mankind, Lee and Bush agreed to strengthen cooperation for the development of low-carbon clean technologies and in the field of energy including renewable and nuclear energy.
The two Presidents agreed to call for all major economies to establish nationally appropriate mid-term energy security and climate change goals that are reflected in international agreements, recognizing the importance of integrating sustainable development with mitigation and of addressing adaptation.
They also agreed to help improve global energy security and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by working toward an agreement in the Doha Round on the global reduction or elimination of tariffs and non-tariff barriers for key climate-friendly technologies and services.
They also agreed to work closely together in other multilateral setting such as the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) and the World Trade Organization (WTO).
In addition, Lee and Bush stressed their strong commitment to the Doha negotiations under the WTO, and agreed to demonstrate leadership to secure a successful outcome that will stimulate growth and development.