SEOUL — President Moon Jae-in and his visiting Costa Rican counterpart, Carlos Alvarado Quesada, pledged Tuesday to work to boost cooperation in the digital and green sectors to spur their post-pandemic economic recovery.
The two leaders also agreed to upgrade relations between the two countries to an “action-oriented comprehensive partnership” as the two nations will mark the 60th anniversary of establishing diplomatic ties in 2022.
“In the realm of public transportation, we will prioritize Korean automobiles, which are planned to be replaced by electric and hydrogen vehicles.”
Moon and Alvarado pointed out that growth in the digital and Eco-friendly industries is important to jump-start the pandemic-hit economy.
Moon asked Alvarado to help Korean companies take part in digital and Eco-friendly infrastructure projects in Costa Rica.
Their talks came ahead of the 60th anniversary of diplomatic ties next year. Costa Rica leads global discussions on the environment and peace and is a traditional ally of Korea that shares universal values. It is also a key partner country that has kept expanding trade and investment with Korea since the Korea-Central America FTA (free trade agreement) took effect in November 2019.
President Moon said, “On the foundation of such shared values as democracy, human rights and peace, our two countries have worked together in a variety of areas.”
“Our two countries have also jointly responded to the COVID-19 crisis by providing anti-epidemic supplies and sharing experiences with epidemic prevention and control,” he added, proposing another 60 years of “win-win” cooperation.
President Alvarado said he wanted to emphasize Korea being the first Asian nation he visited since taking office, adding that he was both glad and honored that his first destination in the region was Korea.
He said the two countries elevated bilateral ties to an “action-oriented comprehensive partnership,” emphasizing the word “action.”
Costa Rica aims to strengthen bilateral cooperation in sectors that Korea leads in, he added, such as scientific and technological innovation, tourism, aerospace, movies, hydrogen cells, and electric mobility, adding that he hopes Korea recognizes Costa Rica “a strategic partner.”
The two leaders also adopted a joint statement on raising cooperation in specific sectors like economy, trade and investment, digital, Eco-friendly, science and technology, innovation, health and medicine.
Photo: President Moon Jae-in (right) and visiting Costa Rican President Carlos Alvarado Quesada on Nov. 23 do a fist bump at their summit hosted by Cheong Wa Dae.
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