South Korea and eight Central American states have agreed to work to promote a comprehensive cooperative relationship.
President Moon Jae-in on Friday held a virtual summit with leaders of the countries that make up the Central American Integration System, or SICA.
SICA launched in 1991 to promote regional development brings together eight countries in Central America, including Costa Rica, El Salvador and Guatemala.
It was Moon’s first multilateral meeting with Central American states since taking office in 2017.
“South Korea and the SICA member states have been able to demonstrate solidarity and cooperation by sharing virus prevention equipment and experience amid the COVID-19 crisis. Now we plan to further expand our horizon of cooperation and solidarity. South Korea supports the efforts of the SICA nations to pursue regional unity and sustainable economic development by fostering stable governance.”
The leaders agreed to boost practical cooperation, especially in the green and digital sectors, and to address global tasks, such as climate change and COVID-19 for a sustainable and inclusive economic recovery.
During the summit, Moon also expressed hope of boosting cooperation through South Korea’s New Deal initiative and said that the South Korea-Central America free trade deal that took effect in March this year is expected to boost regional trade and investment and create jobs.
The central American states welcomed Seoul’s intent to resume the South Korea-SICA cooperation fund, which promotes socio-economic development and regional unity.
Moon also vowed to contribute to ensure the fair access to vaccinations for all, including the SICA nations, while the central American states also expressed support for peace and denuclearization on the Korean Peninsula.
Friday’s meeting was the fourth of its kind the last one being held in 2010.
South Korea became an extra-regional observer of SICA in 2012. (http://www.arirang.com/News/News_View.asp?sys_lang=Eng&nseq=279114)
