TNAG-2290-FCO40-3296-Relations-between-Hong-Kong-and-Macau-1991 — Page 212

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pw. Maias.

FE/1006 A1/1

A. INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

1. GENERAL AND WESTERN AFFAIRS

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26 Feb 91

GERMAN PRESIDENT IN SOUTH KOREA

Abstract of reports

[1]

South Korean President No Tae-u and German President

Richard von Weizsaecker discussed matters of mutual concern in summit talks on 25th February, including strengthening cooperation in international arenas and expanding trade between their countries, Presidential Spokesman Yi Su-chung said. Weizsaecker and his wife arrived in Seoul in the morning for a four-day visit as guests of President No.

In their talks, the presidents shared the view that the inter- Korean question, including reunification, should be resolved through dialogue, mutual exchange and cooperation between the Koreas, "President No asked that Germany be more careful in improving ties with North Korea, bearing in mind the significant progress and North Korea's signing of the nuclear safeguards agreement with the IAEA, as is the stance now taken by Japan in normalization talks with North Korea, and Weizsaecker promised to fully consider South Korea's position," Yi said. They agreed to further activate economic cooperation between their nations so that two-way trade is more balanced and expands but at the same time expressed satisfaction at the more than six billion dollars in annual bilateral trade. A reliable source close to the government said, "The main purpose of Weizsaecker's visit to Seoul is to win the eight billion-dollar contract for the high-speed railway between Seoul and Pusan.” (Yonhap News Agency, Seoul, in English 0823 gmt 25 Feb 91)

South Korean President No Tae-u told German President

Richard von Weizsaecker at a dinner in his honour on 25th February that along with democratic reforms now underway in the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe, “German unification is certain to help shape a more peaceful and cooperative world”.

"The prevailing winds of world-wide reconciliation are now blowing eastwards", No said. "We are resolved to do everything in our power to end the outmoded cold war confrontation in our land" and "to seek and develop such inter-Korean relations with the goal of attaining a peaceful and democratic unification”. No said he was convinced that just as unified Germany is underpinning European peace, so will the unification of the Korean Peninsula bolster peace in the Asia- Pacific region". (Yonhap News Agency, Seoul, in English 0758 gmt 25 Feb 91)

The Federal Republic was following the dialogue between the two Korean states with great interest, Federal President Richard von Weizsaecker said at a meal given in his honour by the South Korean President No Tae-u on 25th February. Germany could not offer any formulas, but German experience showed that “it is worth talking patiently with each other". Even contradictory points of view could exist if factual talks about issues that could be settled were possible and the

division could be overcome. As in Europe it was necessary on the Korean peninsula that the interested powers, above all the USA, the Soviet Union, the PRC and Japan, cooperated and supported detente, Weizsaecker stressed. The elements of a detente structure around the Korean peninsula were very important for world peace. (ADN in German 0956 gmt 25 Feb 91)

CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTER IN PORTUGAL:

MACAO DISCUSSED

Abstract of reports

[2]

At a joint press conference held in Lisbon on 22nd January, Chinese Foreign Minister Qian Qichen and Portuguese Foreign Minister Joao de Deus Pinheiro said that their talks that morning were held in a sincere and friendly atmosphere and were fruitful. Foreign Minister Pinheiro said he and the Chinese Foreign Minister had exchanged views on bilateral relations, the Gulf conflict, the situation in southern Africa and Asia, and the construction of an airport in Macao. They also announced that the two sides had reached a very important agreement regarding the status of Chinese and Portuguese languages in Macao, namely, the Portuguese government agreed that Chinese would become the official language of Macao by the year 1999, while the Chinese side agreed that Portuguese would remain a formal language of Macao after 1999. At the press conference, Foreign Minister Qian Qichen said the two countries reached agreement on the Chinese Foreign Ministry establishing a visa office in Macao. (Xinhua News Agency, Peking, domestic service in Chinese 0748 gmt 23 Feb 91)

The Portuguese President, Mario Soares, the Prime Minister, Cavaco Silva and parliamentary leaders all met the visiting Chinese Foreign Minister on 22nd February. During their cordial discussions President Soares said his country will strictly comply with the principles set out in the Sino- Portuguese joint statement on the issue of Macao and maintain Macao's stability and prosperity to secure a smooth transition to Chinese sovereignty in 1999. Prime Minister Silva said Qian's visit provided a good opportunity for strengthening the already friendly cooperative relationship between the two countries and that the Sino-Portuguese joint statement on the issue of Macao, signed in 1987, and is quite important for the development of the two countries' friendly relationship. During talks with Qian, Vitor Crespo, Chair man of the Assembly of the Republic, said he hopes the friendship between Portugal and China and the dialogue between the two countries' legislative bodies will continue to go forward. (Xinhua News Agency, Peking, in English 0410 gmt 23 Feb 91)

Qian Qichen left Porto for Spain on 25th February after winding up his three-day official visit to Portugal. Qian told