1. First Vice Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yong met on March 13 with his Costa Rican counterpart Alejandro Solano, who is on a visit to the Republic of Korea to attend the 5th workshop of the Cyber Secretariat of the Forum for East Asia-Latin America Cooperation (FEALAC). The two sides exchanged views on major issues between the ROK and Costa Rica, including progress in developing bilateral relations; regional situations; and cooperation on the international stage, such as the UN and regional cooperative bodies.

2. Vice Minister Cho stated that the ROK and Costa Rica, since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1962, have expanded and advanced substantive cooperation in a range of areas, including politics, economy, and culture. Vice Minister Cho noted with appreciation that bilateral relations have further developed through the recent high-level exchanges, including Foreign Minister González’ visit to the ROK last year and the Vice Foreign Minister Solano’s visit to the ROK.

o Vice Minister Solano took note that the two countries have enhanced substantive cooperation in a variety of areas and hoped that they will continue to expand and deepen such cooperation.

3. Vice Minister Cho requested the Costa Rican government’s interest and support for smooth business operations of Korean companies in Costa Rica. Vice Minister Solano promised special interest and cooperation to ensure the safety of Korean companies and people.

4. The two Vice Ministers took note of close cooperation between the two countries in the international community, including the UN, and agreed to further increase bilateral cooperation in regional cooperative mechanisms, including the Forum for East Asia-Latin America Cooperation.

o Vice Minister Solano expressed appreciation for the ROK government’s support for Costa Rica’s accession to the OECD, and invited a senior ROK official to the 7th FEALAC Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, to be held in Costa Rica in August this year.

5. Vice Minister Solano requested the ROK side’s cooperation to make a success of bilateral cooperation in establishing and developing e-government. Vice Minister Cho hoped that the two countries will closely cooperate in a range of areas by sharing the ROK’s technologies and experiences.

6. Vice Minister Cho expressed gratitude for the Costa Rican government’s continued support on the Korean Peninsula issues and requested the Costa Rican government’s support and cooperation on the ROK government’s trustpolitik. Vice Minister Solano expressed support for the ROK government’s position to promote peace and prosperity on the Korean Peninsula and stated that he is willing to cooperate with the ROK.

7. This meeting between the ROK and Costa Rican Vice Foreign Ministers served as an opportunity for the two countries to reaffirm their long-standing friendly and cooperative relations and expand the foundation for enhancing bilateral cooperation. 


                   Spokesperson and Deputy Minister for Public Relations of MOFA

*unofficial translation