Choi Jong-geon, Korea-Spain Strategic Dialogue... Strengthening Practical Cooperation in Economy, Environment, and Science & Technology

Celebrating the 70th Anniversary of Korea-Spain Diplomatic Relations... High-Level Exchanges Continue Amid COVID-19 Situation

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] On the 3rd, Choi Jong-geon, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, held the 2nd Korea-Spain Strategic Dialogue via video conference with Cristina Gallach, Spanish Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, and conducted in-depth discussions on the development of bilateral relations marking the 70th anniversary of diplomatic ties, response to the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), strengthening practical cooperation in economy, environment, and science and technology, as well as regional situations including the Korean Peninsula and Europe.

The two vice ministers congratulated the 70th anniversary of Korea-Spain diplomatic relations this year and evaluated that despite the difficult situation caused by COVID-19, both countries have continued efforts for communication and cooperation, including high-level exchanges.

Vice Minister Choi expressed gratitude for Spain's cooperation in enabling Korean nationals stranded in Equatorial Guinea last April to return home via a Spanish charter flight, and Deputy Minister Gallach expressed appreciation, stating that sharing Korea's quarantine experience greatly helped overcome COVID-19 and that with Korea's support, the local elections in July were conducted smoothly.

Furthermore, the two vice ministers agreed on the view that vaccines have the nature of international public goods and decided to cooperate for universal and equitable international vaccine distribution.

In addition, the vice ministers evaluated that Korea's Green New Deal and the European Green Deal policies promoted by Spain and the EU share common goals of eco-friendliness and inclusive growth, and agreed to strengthen cooperation between the two countries for overcoming COVID-19 and achieving an environmentally friendly economic recovery (green recovery), which has recently become a key topic.

Moreover, the two vice ministers agreed to further strengthen cooperation in areas where both countries have strengths, such as the 4th Industrial Revolution, research and development (R&D), and renewable energy, and actively support mutually beneficial cooperation through joint entry into third-country markets including Latin America, the Middle East, and Africa in the construction and infrastructure sectors.

Meanwhile, Vice Minister Choi held strategic dialogues with Italy and Spain, the two EU member countries operating vice minister-level strategic dialogues with Korea among the 27 EU countries, maintaining close communication and cooperation with major European countries even under the COVID-19 situation. Next week, he plans to hold a high-level policy dialogue via video conference with Enrique Mora Benavente, Deputy Secretary-General of the EU External Action Service (EAS), to discuss cooperation measures at the Korea-EU level.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.