[Meeting the Ambassador] "Korea and EU Share Geopolitical Headwinds... Economic Security Cooperation Must Be Strengthened"

Ugo Astuto, Ambassador of the European Union (EU) to Korea

"Korea and the EU must cooperate based on our shared values of liberal democracy and our converging interests as advanced economies."

Ugo Astuto, Ambassador of the European Union (EU) to South Korea, made these remarks in an interview with The Asia Business Daily on June 29, as he reflected on President Lee Jaemyung’s recent visit to Europe and the outcomes of the Korea-EU summit, and discussed future cooperation between the two sides.

Hugo Astuto, Ambassador of the Delegation of the European Union to Korea, is posing ahead of an interview with The Asia Business Daily on the 29th at the Delegation of the European Union to Korea in Jung-gu, Seoul. Photo by Jinhyung Kang

Ambassador Astuto expressed concern, saying, "We are facing the difficult situation of geopolitical headwinds," and, "We are experiencing a challenging period in which the temptation to equate power with justice is re-emerging in international relations."

Korea and the EU have been like-minded partners for more than 60 years. Their cooperation now extends to areas such as economic security, supply chain resilience, advanced technology, and green and digital transformation. Ambassador Astuto stated, "The newly established Competitiveness Partnership, the 2+2 Trade and Economic Dialogue, and the Energy Dialogue launched at this summit will become new tools to enhance the resilience of our economies and address supply chain crises." The following is a Q&A with Ambassador Ugo Astuto of the EU.

-What are the most significant achievements and future messages from this Korea-EU summit?

△It was a very positive summit. It was significant in many respects, and both leaders injected new momentum into the strategic partnership that has rapidly advanced in recent years. As we face the difficult circumstances of geopolitical headwinds, it is only natural for like-minded partners such as Korea and the EU to come together and cooperate based on shared values of liberal democracy and converging interests as advanced economies.

-Which specific fields saw progress through this summit?

△Both leaders expressed their intention to further develop the partnership across all areas of trade and economic issues. In particular, economic security and supply chain stability have come to the forefront of our agenda. This is the reason for the establishment of the 'Competitiveness Partnership' and the new '2+2 Trade and Economic Dialogue.' In addition, the recent crisis around the Strait of Hormuz confirmed our continued vulnerability in oil and gas supply chains, which is why we also launched the 'Energy Dialogue' to accelerate the transition to a green energy mix. We also agreed to deepen cooperation across a wide range of topics, such as artificial intelligence (AI), where Korea is a leader, and industrial robotics, as well as the EU's experience in research, innovation, and manufacturing.

-It seems that Korea and the EU are also expanding cooperation in AI and digital transformation.

△The adoption and spread of AI is a priority for both Korea and the EU. We want to drive innovation, but it must also be done in a way that meets the expectations of democratic societies. For example, values such as respect for individual rights are important. I believe that the green and digital transition, as well as research and innovation, are crucial areas where Korea and the EU can work even more closely in the future.

-What is the key word that best defines the Korea-EU relationship over the past 60 years?

△If I had to choose one key word, it would be 'Shared Values.' We are living through a very difficult period in international relations, and in some quarters, we are witnessing the re-emergence of the old temptation to equate power with justice. We must push back against this and protect a system governed by international law and respect for the UN Charter.

-What are the three projects that the EU is paying the most attention to and closely monitoring?

△We place importance on our relationship with Korea across the board. However, if I were to choose three particularly noteworthy new areas of development, the first would be research and innovation, the second digital transformation, and the third economic security.

-How can Korea's defense industry and the EU's defense initiatives complement each other?

△It is well known that Korea's defense industry is highly competitive. Korea has already become a major supplier of weaponry to some EU member states. Europe now faces a clear and present threat since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The EU’s role is to address and rationalize the fragmentation of the European defense market and promote joint procurement and joint investment. By providing a more comprehensive framework and acting as a sort of 'force multiplier,' the EU can generate mutually complementary synergies.

-Korea and the EU issued a statement condemning North Korea and Russia's illegal military cooperation.

△The security of Europe and the Indo-Pacific region are closely interconnected. North Korea has played a major enabler role in Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, supplying all kinds of military materiel, including personnel, ammunition, and missiles. Although it is unclear how much military technology North Korea is acquiring from Russia, this is fueling North Korea’s continued illegal nuclear and missile activities. We share concerns over North Korea’s ongoing missile launches and illegal nuclear proliferation and weapons buildup, and we must urge the full implementation of existing UN Security Council resolutions.

-How do you anticipate the recently agreed 'Classified Information Protection Agreement' will develop?

△As discussions and negotiations are just beginning, it is difficult to comment in advance on the specific nature or details of the agreement. However, I hope this agreement will be understood as a natural corollary to the 'Security and Defense Partnership' we concluded in 2024.

-What role can the EU play in promoting peace, stability, and regional security cooperation in East Asia?

△Indo-Pacific security is directly linked to Europe’s security. The EU has a vital interest in the peace and prosperity of this region, as a substantial share of our trade and global GDP growth comes from here. Since 2022, the EU has regularly held 'EU-Indo-Pacific Ministerial Meetings' to strengthen cooperation and identify areas of common interest. Specifically, we are expanding our free trade agreement (FTA) network to cover nearly 50% of global GDP.

-What diplomatic and security support can the EU provide for peaceful coexistence on the Korean Peninsula?

△We actively welcome the Korean government’s efforts for dialogue and de-escalation. If possible in the future, we stand ready to support any meaningful diplomatic process at any time.

-How will the multilateral trade system be protected in the face of a worldwide rise in protectionism?

△The more uncertain the times, the more the EU can serve as a 'beacon of predictability' — a reliable and predictable partner. Our distinguishing feature is that we are a rules-based organization. We believe that the open, rules-based trade system centered around the World Trade Organization (WTO) has long benefited us. Korea played a pioneering role by signing an FTA with the EU in 2011, and that agreement has achieved significant results.

-Do you believe that the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula can be achieved within our generation?

△What is important is to adhere to UN resolutions and, as members of the international community, to clearly recognize and be mindful of the risks we face when confronted with a world rife with nuclear proliferation.

Hugo Astuto, Ambassador of the European Union Delegation to Korea, is interviewed by The Asia Business Daily on the 29th at the European Union Delegation to Korea in Jung-gu, Seoul. Photo by Kang Jinhyung

<Who is Ugo Astuto, Ambassador of the European Union (EU) to Korea>

Since establishing official diplomatic relations, Korea and the European Union (EU) have shared universal values such as democracy, human rights, and the rule of law, and have closely cooperated in diverse fields including the economy, science and technology, and trade. Both sides have become mutually essential trading partners based on the Free Trade Agreement (FTA). Recently, the partnership has deepened, focusing on future strategic industries such as digital trade agreements and stabilizing global supply chains. In particular, taking the opportunity of the G7 summit, President Lee Jaemyung visited Europe and held the 11th Korea-EU summit in Brussels, Belgium, on June 10, further solidifying ties. Active exchanges of people and culture between Korea and the EU continue each year.

Ugo Astuto, Ambassador of the European Union to Korea, is a seasoned diplomatic expert with extensive experience in multilateral diplomacy and Asian affairs. He majored in political science at Sapienza University of Rome, earning bachelor's degrees in history, international law, and economics, and completed the Italian Society for International Organization (SIOI) program for foreign service officers, making him an expert in Asian and multilateral diplomacy. Notably, Ambassador Astuto also completed military service as an air force second lieutenant from 1987 to 1988.

Beginning his career at the Economic Department of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1991, Astuto acquired key policy and field experience as Second and First Secretary at the Embassy of Italy in Kenya. He then served as First Secretary and Counselor at Italy’s Permanent Delegation to the Western European Union (WEU) and the EU, as well as Advisor to the Minister of Foreign Affairs. He further built experience in multilateral economic diplomacy as Italy’s Representative to the Board of Directors at the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and as First Counselor at the Embassy of Italy in the UK.

In addition to his native Italian, Ambassador Astuto is fluent in English and French and has basic proficiency in German. Drawing on his insight into political and economic dynamics in both his home country and Asia, he has served in various diplomatic roles for many years. He served as Counselor and Deputy Ambassador at the Embassy of Italy in India, Director for South Asia and Southeast Asia at the European External Action Service (EEAS), and Deputy Director for Asia and the Pacific, overseeing Asian diplomatic policy. He later held posts as Deputy Director for Asia and for Globalization at the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, served as the Ambassador of the European Union to India and Bhutan, and, after serving as Deputy Director for G7 and G20 at the Political Directorate of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, he was appointed to Korea in September of last year.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.