Outcomes of Minister's official visit to Peru

Seoul--(뉴스와이어)--Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Ban Ki-moon paid an official visit to Peru from March 16 to 17. Minister Ban's itinerary in Peru included the ROK-Peru Foreign Ministers' Talks with Foreign Minister Oscar Maúrtua, courtesy call on President Alejandro Toledo, meeting with Secretary-General of the Andean Community of Nations, Allan Wagner, speech at the University of Lima, interview with El Comerico and meeting with representatives of ethnic Koreans and Korean businessmen living in Peru.

At the ROK-Peru Foreign Ministers' Talks held in Torre Tagle Palace on March 17, the two ministers had a wide range of in-depth discussions on the recent situation on the Korean Peninsula (including the North Korean nuclear issue), recent situation in the Latin American and Caribbean region, cooperative measures in the international arena such as UN and FEALAC, and ways to further promote bilateral ties.

Minister Ban explained recent developments in inter-Korean relations and the ROK's position for a peaceful resolution of the North Korean nuclear issue, including the Six-Party Talks. Minister Maúrtua expressed his interest in the settlement of peace on the Korean Peninsula and expressed his willingness to continue his support and cooperation for our position.

The two ministers reviewed follow-up measures to the ROK-Peru Summit held in November 2005, and shared views on a wide range of bilateral pending issues such as the promotion of trade and investment, cooperation in the fields of resources, information & communication and science & technology, and expansion of cultural and arts exchanges. They also discussed ways to promote cooperation in the multilateral arena such as the UN reforms and FEALAC, and to strengthen cooperation between the ROK and the Andean Community of Nations.

Minister Ban paid a courtesy call on President Toledo, and asked for his continued interest in and support for the development of bilateral relations. He also met with Secretary-General of the Andean Community of Nations, Allan Wagner and exchanged views on ways to promote cooperation between the ROK and the Andean Community of Nations. At the University of Lima, he delivered a speech entitled "Korea-Latin America Cooperation for Joint Prosperity in the 21st Century" on the ROK's foreign policies toward the Latin American and Caribbean region and cooperative measures for joint prosperity in the new environment of the 21st Century.

On March 16, Minister Ban had a meeting with ethnic Koreans and Korean businessmen living in Peru, and an interview with El Comercio in which he explained our government's efforts to strengthen cooperation with Peru and other countries in the Latin American and Caribbean region.

During his official visit to Peru, Minister Ban received "Gran Cruz del Sol del Peru" from the Peruvian government on March 17, which is the highest medal of honor presented by the Peruvian government for his endeavors for the promotion of friendly and cooperative ties between the ROK and Peru.