1. Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se had separate bilateral meetings on July 1 with Costa Rican Foreign Minister González and Ecuadorian Foreign Minister Patiño, who are visiting the Republic of Korea to attend the third meeting between the Foreign Ministers of the ROK and CELAC’s Cuarteto countries and the 2014 High-Level Forum on Korea-Latin America Partnership to be held on July 2. Minister Yun discussed ways to enhance substantive cooperation between the ROK and Costa Rica and Ecuador, respectively, in a range of areas.

[ROK-Costa Rica Foreign Ministers’ Meeting]

2. In his meeting with Costa Rican Foreign Minister González, Minister Yun extended congratulations on the May 8 launch of the new Costa Rican government. Minister Yun also hoped that the two countries, which share universal values, including democracy, market economy and human rights, will continue to closely work together to promote development and prosperity of the international community.

o The two Ministers noted with appreciation that the ROK and Costa Rica have increased substantive cooperation in various areas since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries in 1962. They also agreed to continue to expand and deepen such cooperation.

o The two Ministers also decided to continue to maintain and develop close cooperative relations between the two countries on the global stage. In particular, with regard to issues on the Korean Peninsula, Minister González especially expressed active support for the ROK government’s efforts and position.

3. Minister Yun also took note that cooperation between the two countries has expanded and deepened to cover various areas, including environment, green growth, electronic government and development. Minister Yun expressed hope that the two countries will further enhance cooperation in those areas in a mutually-beneficial way.

4. Minister Yun requested the new Costa Rican government’s interest and support to help more Korean companies to enter the country’s market, especially environment- and e-government-related markets. Minister González was also very willing to expand cooperation with the ROK, which has advanced technologies and abundant experience in those areas.

[ROK-Ecuador Foreign Ministers’ Meeting]

5. In the ROK-Ecuador Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, held right after the ROK-Costa Rica Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, Minister Yun welcomed Minister Patiño here, who is visiting the ROK again one year after his official visit to the ROK in June, 2013. Minister Patiño noted with appreciation that new progress has been made in the relations between the two countries since his visit to the ROK last year.

6. Minister Yun appreciated the increasing economic exchanges between the two countries. In response, Minister Patiño offered to create institutional frameworks to expand trade, including concluding a trade agreement, in order to further materialize the two countries’ willingness to promote economic cooperation. Minister Patiño also requested that the ROK government actively support economic exchanges among private companies of the two countries, including the Korean trade and investment delegation’s visit to Ecuador.

o The two sides especially noted Korean companies’ participation in the project to construct the Yachay knowledge-based city, being actively pursued by Ecuadorian President Correa. They expected that building upon such cooperation, the two countries will enhance substantive cooperation in science and technology, education and other areas in the future.

7. The two Ministers also agreed to continue bilateral cooperation in public health and e-government, which is currently underway, and expand cooperation that benefits both countries. 


                 Spokesperson and Deputy Minister for Public Relations of MOFA

*unofficial translation