By Kang Hyun-kyung
President Lee Myung-bak will attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit slated for next Saturday and Sunday in Vladivostok in the far eastern part of Russia, according to Cheong Wa Dae Thursday.
Under the theme “Integrate to Grow, Innovate to Prosper,” the leaders of the Asia Pacific region will discuss trade, investments, cooperation between regional economies, food security and innovative engines of growth during the two-day gathering.
In a press release, the presidential office said President Lee will propose ways to strengthen regional integration and growth during the summit.
After this, Lee will fly to Greenland for a summit with Prime Minister Kuupik Vandersee Kleist. The two leaders are to exchange ideas to bolster ties in green growth and resources development.
Lee and Kleist will make a field trip to Illulissat, a picturesque ice fiord that has attracted numerous tourists from all around the world. They will experience climate change first-hand and see its negative fallout on the ecosystem. They will exchange views on how to fight global warming.
Lee will arrive in Norway on Sept. 10 for a three-day visit there. During a summit talk with Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg, Lee and the Norwegian leader will discuss ways to strengthen cooperation in shipbuilding, maritime affairs, renewable energy, green growth and other global affairs.
Lee’s last stop is Kazakhstan. After arriving in the Central Asian country on Sept. 12, Lee will hold a summit with President Nursultan Abishevich Nazarbayev to discuss issue of mutual interest and ways to increase trade and investment relations. This year marks the 20th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between South Korea and Kazakhstan.
Lee will return to Seoul on Sept. 15.