President Park Geun-hye has emphasized that Korea and Iran should produce substantial outcomes in regard to the results of her state visit to the nation earlier this month.

“It is important to create concrete outcomes through the memorandums of understanding (MOUs) that we signed, so that peoples of the two nations can enjoy the benefits together,” said President Park during a meeting with Masoumeh Ebtekhar, the vice president of Iran and the head of Iran's Environmental Protection Organization, on May 18 at Cheong Wa Dae.

Vice President Ebtekhar responded by saying that, “The Iranian government will make active efforts in order to fully implement the MOUs signed by our two countries.”

President Park told the Iranian vice president that Korean citizens have shown great interest in Iran after her trip to Tehran. She hoped that both countries could work together in order to further develop their cooperative relationship.

President Park also said that her Iran visit “laid the foundation for a future of bilateral cooperation, not only in terms of infrastructure and energy, but also across wider sectors, such as healthcare, the environment and the arts.” Mentioning the cultural events that took place in Tehran during her trip, the president said, “I was able to see the cultural fellowship that both countries share through Iranian citizens’ interest in Korea.”

Vice President Ebtekhar told President Park that her visit “left a good memory and impression on the Iranian people.” She emphasized the meaning of President Park’s trip to Iran by saying that, “It became a milestone for new cooperation, not only in trade, the economy and diplomacy, but also at new levels.”

“I hope that both countries can establish a friendly cooperative relationship based on the deep historic exchanges and cultural bonds,” she said.

The Iranian vice president said, “The environmental sector is one of the most important tasks that President Hassan Rouhani has placed as a top priority.” She hoped that Iran and Korea could jointly respond to environmental issues, mentioning the MOU that Korea and Iran signed covering environmental cooperation.

President Park also said she is aware of the Iranian government’s high interest in the environment, and that she hopes to cooperate with Iran in this regard.

By Yoon Sojung
Korea.net Staff Writer
Photos: Cheong Wa Dae
arete@korea.kr