North Korea–European Union relations

Euro-North Korean relations

European Union	North Korea

European Union-North Korea relations are the bilateral relations between the European Union (EU) and North Korea. In the early 2000s the EU was involved in negotiations on bringing down the nuclear program of North Korea.

History

The first political dialuge began on December 2nd, 1998. In two Council Conclusions of October 9th and November 20th, 1999, a more coordinated approach towards the Korean peninsula was decided upon. This included the expansion of the EU's assistance efforts in a measured way, linked to North Korea's response to international concerns in regard to progress in inter-Korean reconciliation, non proliferation issues, respect for human rights and economic structural reform in the DPRK.^[1]

Economic relations

The major export items of the EU to the DPRK are agricultural machinery, cars, steel, electronics and electric supplies, measuring instruments, medical supplies and rough diamonds. The major import items of the EU from the DPRK are clothes, electronic and electric products, jewelry, machinery, plastic products and salt.^[2]

Of much more and direct significance for the latter's current and future development are the events after the 1994 Agreed Framework and especially the diplomatic normalization that started with a political dialogue meeting in December 1998. The EU provides humanitarian support to the DPRK since the floods in 1995 and the subsequent North Korean appeal for international aid. By 2000, 38 million Euros had been provided mainly on medicines, water, sanitation, winter clothes and hygiene. Food aid began in 1997, initially centered on delivering food but increasingly becoming oriented towards agricultural rehabilitation and production. Assistance has been provided bilaterally (106.7 million Euro), via the WFP (50 million Euro) and via European NGOs.

References

1. ^ CESVI, Concern, Children's Aid Direct, Action Contra La Faim, German Agro Action, Médecins Sans Frontières, Triangle
2. ^ CESVI, Concern, Children's Aid Direct, Action Contra La Faim, German Agro Action, Médecins Sans Frontières, Triangle

Europe

European Union · Denmark · France · Germany · Hungary · Italy · Poland · Russia · Serbia

Oceania

Australia · New Zealand

Related topics

Diplomatic missions of / in North Korea