President Moon: "Korea-Costa Rica Elevate to 'Action-Oriented Comprehensive Partnership'"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] On the morning of the 23rd, President Moon Jae-in held a summit meeting with Carlos Alvarado, President of Costa Rica, at the Blue House and announced the elevation of bilateral relations to an "action-oriented comprehensive partnership."

President Moon stated, "Next year marks the special 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between our two countries," adding, "We expect substantial and concrete achievements in various fields including eco-friendliness, digital technology, science and technology, and infrastructure. Let us create a new 60 years of mutually beneficial cooperation together."

President Moon said, "Our two countries have cooperated in various fields based on shared values such as democracy, human rights, and peace," and added, "Costa Rica was the first in the world to introduce Korea's electronic procurement system, and Korea is expanding trade in agricultural products including coffee based on the Korea-Central America Free Trade Agreement (FTA)."

He also emphasized that the two countries have supported each other with quarantine supplies and shared quarantine experiences, responding together to the COVID-19 crisis.

President Moon mentioned that since their first summit call in January, they have met consecutively at the P4G and Korea-SICA summits in May, and the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26), saying, "I am very pleased to finally welcome you as a state guest here in Seoul today."

President Alvarado responded, "I would like to emphasize that my visit to Korea is the first country I have visited in Asia since taking office," and said, "I am very happy and honored that it is Korea."

President Alvarado stressed, "Our two countries uphold common principles such as peace, democracy, human rights, environmental sustainability, and denuclearization," and added, "Costa Rica wishes to deepen cooperation with Korea in fields where Korea holds a leading position, such as science and technology innovation, tourism, aerospace industry, film, hydrogen fuel cells, and electric vehicles."

He expressed gratitude for Korea's cooperation provided to Costa Rica in various fields and thanked Korea for its support in responding to COVID-19.

President Alvarado mentioned the elevation of bilateral relations to an "action-oriented comprehensive partnership" and stated, "I hope Korea recognizes Costa Rica as a strategic partner. I also hope Costa Rica will be considered not only as a bilateral partner but also as a regional partner in Central America and the Caribbean."

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