Vice Minister Choi Jong-geon Holds Korea-Spain Strategic Dialogue... Economic and Cultural Cooperation, Consultations on Korean Peninsula Situation

Discussion on Multilateral Cooperation Including COVID-19 Response Collaboration and Korea-Spain-Latin America Triangular Cooperation

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] On the afternoon of the 3rd, Choi Jong-geon, First Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, held the 2nd Korea-Spain Strategic Dialogue via video conference with Cristina Gayak, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Spain, to discuss the development of bilateral relations marking the 70th anniversary of diplomatic ties, response to the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), strengthening practical cooperation in economic and cultural fields, and the situation on the Korean Peninsula and surrounding regions.

Since 1988, the two countries have held Deputy Minister-level High-level Policy Consultations, and in 2016, after the 11th Policy Consultation, they agreed to elevate this consultation to a strategic dialogue. In April 2019, the 1st Strategic Dialogue was held.

Following the Korea-Italy Strategic Dialogue held on October 30, Vice Minister Choi is holding a strategic dialogue with Spain about a month later, continuing strategic communication and cooperation activities with major European countries despite the COVID-19 situation.

Deputy Minister Gayak of Spain, who will hold the strategic dialogue with Vice Minister Choi, is a former journalist who has worked at various international organizations such as the European Union (EU), North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), and the United Nations (UN). Notably, she served as the Deputy Secretary-General for Public Information during the tenure of former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.

In this strategic dialogue, considering that this year marks the 70th anniversary of Korea-Spain diplomatic relations, the two deputy ministers will review current issues between the two countries and discuss ways to create new opportunities for cooperation. A Foreign Ministry official explained, "The strategic dialogue is expected to serve as an opportunity to reflect on the bilateral relations marking the 70th anniversary of diplomatic ties and to comprehensively discuss cooperation measures in various areas, including future Korea-Spain bilateral cooperation, multilateral cooperation, and Korea-Spain-Latin America triangular cooperation."

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