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The 2012 Asan Middle East Dialogue: Jordan, UAE, Iran, and Turkey
Date: November 11 – December 8, 2012
- Amman, Jordan
- Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
- Tehran, Iran
- Istanbul and Ankara, Turkey
Outline
From November 11 to December 8, 2012, the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Center at the Asan Institute for Policy Studies visited Jordan, UAE, Iran, and Turkey as part of the 2012 Asan Middle East Dialogue. The Center presented at numerous conferences across the region and also met with leading researchers, policymakers, and academics to discuss recent developments across the Middle East and their implications for South Korea. The trip also sought to foster greater institutional linkages between the Asan Institute for Policy Studies and leading Middle Eastern think-tanks and organizations by exploring opportunities for collaborative research projects and events.
Amman, Jordan (November 13-14)
The Center attended a nuclear security and non-proliferation forum hosted by the Arab Institute for Security Studies (ACSIS) and co-sponsored by the Asan Institute, titled “Maintaining the Momentum and Supporting the Facilitator: Prospects for a Zone Free from Weapons of Mass Destruction in the Middle East.” The Forum included keynote addresses by former Egyptian Foreign Minister and Secretary General of the Arab League, Amr Moussa, and former Director-General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Dr. Hans Blix.
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (November 18)
The Center attended the 9th Korea-Middle East Cooperation Forum, jointly hosted by the Korea-Arab Society, the South Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MOFAT), the Jeju Peace Institute (JPI), and the Emirates Center for Strategic Studies and Research (ECSSR). This year’s theme was titled “Forging Partnership for Today’s World” and included presentations covering a wide variety of Korea-Middle East linkages such as nuclear energy, trade and investment, and cultural exchanges.
Tehran, Iran (November 19-23)
The Center met with the Korean Ambassador to the Islamic Republic of Iran, Mr. Song Woong Yeob, to discuss the ongoing international standoff over Iran’s nuclear program, the regional role that Iran has been playing in the context of the Arab uprisings, and the effects that international sanctions have been having on the country’s economy.
Istanbul, Turkey (November 26-27)
The Center attended an off-the-record WMD non-proliferation conference hosted by the Centre for Economics and Foreign Policy Studies (EDAM), titled “Regional Security and Steps toward Reducing WMD Risks in the Middle East.” The conference was conducted under the Chatham House Rule.
Ankara, Turkey (November 30)
Dr. Jang Ji-Hyang presented at the 2nd Korea-Turkey Cooperation Dialogue, jointly hosted by the South Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MOFAT) and the Turkish Center for Strategic Research (SAM). This year’s Dialogue covered recent developments in Korea-Turkish relations including progress on the bilateral free trade agreement and the impact of Korean popular culture on Turkish society. Dr. Jang presented on the growing “middle power” aspirations of Turkey and its future potential to play a leadership role in the region.