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Today I am in the dynamic city of Seoul. Actually, this is the first visit ever of a NATO Secretary
General to the Republic of Korea. I met President Park, ministers and members of parliament
to thank them for their country's contribution to global peace and stability. The Republic
of Korea is playing an exemplary role in Afghanistan and cooperating with NATO in countering the
threat of piracy in the Gulf of Aden.
I also reiterated NATO's strong condemnation of North Korea's provocative rhetoric and
actions. We have been watching with grave concern the series of statements, missile
launches and nuclear tests, which pose a serious threat to regional and international peace,
security and stability. I urge the North Korean authorities to refrain from any further provocations
and to fulfil its international obligations to fully implement all relevant United Nations
Security Council resolutions. And I commend the Republic of Korea's determination to seek
peaceful solutions through dialogue.
Our partnership is based on shared values: individual liberty, democracy and the rule
of law. The values which allowed this country to flourish.Our partnership is still young,
but it has great potential. We can do more in areas such as military training
and education, logistics and disaster relief. And we are determined to make our partnership
even stronger.