S. Korea, Arab States to Strengthen Ties
By Jung Sung-ki
Staff Reporter
South Korea and more than 20 Middle Eastern nations plan to launch an organization, aimed at pursuing various projects in different sectors to expand their ties, by early July, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade said Wednesday.
The plan is part of Seoul's efforts to strengthen its ``energy diplomacy'' with nations rich in energy and natural resources, a ministry spokesman.
A preparatory conference to launch the non-profit organization, named Korea-Arab Society (KAS), will be held next Monday in Seoul, it said in a news release.
About 200 representatives from 22 Arab states will attend the meeting at the Lotte Hotel in central Seoul. The representatives include leaders from business, academic, cultural and religious circles, as well as presidents and princes from participating Arab nations, including Sudan, Jordan, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait.
Ma Young-sam, director-general of the ministry's Middle Eastern and African Affairs Bureau, said the establishment of the KAS is expected to play a key role in promoting economic, social and cultural exchanges between South Korea and Arab states.
``Human networks, particularly the relationship with Royal families of Arab states, are crucial for implementing business programs on energy with the Arab world,'' Ma told reporters. ``In that context, I believe the Korea-Arab Society will provide good opportunities for South Korean firms to successfully make inroads into the Arab market.''
About 10 Korean companies, including SK, GS, S-oil and STX, are to participate in the society, he said. Besides business cooperation with South Korean firms, most Arab countries are showing keen interest in cultural exchanges, Ma added.
``South Korea and the Arab nations will foster a deeper understanding and admiration of each other's cultures, customs and education, going beyond politics and economics,'' he said.
Currently, only France has that kind of society with Arab nations, he noted.
Many diplomats say public understanding of the Arab world here has failed to keep abreast of growing economic relations between the two sides. Some Koreans even bear prejudice against the Arab world amid a cascade of reports on conflicts and terrorist attacks in the region.