1. The Republic of Korea and Peru held the fifth meeting of their joint committee on economy, science and technology in Lima, Peru, on May 11, with Deputy Minister for Economic Affairs Lee Tae-ho of the ROK Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Secretary-General Eric Anderson Machado of the Peruvian Ministry of Foreign Relations leading their respective delegations.

° In the meeting, the two sides reviewed the progress in the implementation of the follow-up measures after the bilateral summit talks in April 2015 and discussed bilateral issues and ways to promote cooperation across the board, including economy, trade, science, technology and development.

2. The two sides expressed satisfaction with the fact that the two countries are bringing their relations to their best point through the bilateral FTA in force since August 2011, their comprehensive strategic partnership forged in May 2012 and robust summit diplomacy, including the summit talks held on an annual basis since 2008.

° In particular, the two sides took note of the steady implementation of various projects in such high value-added fields as defense industry, healthcare, medical service, the e-government system, science, technology and education -- the areas where the two countries had agreed at their summit talks in 2015 to work together. They agreed continue cooperation for their smooth progress.

3. Secretary-General Anderson, displaying satisfaction with Peruvian mango exports to the ROK, which started in November 2015, voiced hope that the two countries will work together to increase the bilateral trade volume and diversify export and import items. Deputy Minister Lee asked for the Peruvian government’s strong support for bids of Korean companies to take greater parts in infrastructure projects financed by the Peruvian government.

4. Deputy Minister Lee hailed the fact that the ROK’s grant projects using its strong information and communications technology (ICT) are contributing to the national development of Peru, and expressed hope that a framework agreement for grant aid will be concluded between the two countries as soon as possible to allow a stable implementation of development cooperation projects. In response, the Peruvian side pledged to cooperate actively for the conclusion of the agreement.

5. The two sides, noting with appreciation close bilateral cooperation at such multilateral mechanisms as APEC, the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI), the Green Climate Fund (GCF) and the Pacific Alliance, agreed to continue increasing bilateral collaboration on various global issues.

6. The fifth ROK-Peru Joint Committee meeting served as an opportunity for the two countries to review the progress in the implementation of the follow-up measures after the bilateral summit talks and to comprehensively discuss ways to step up substantive cooperation in the sectors of economy, science and technology. As such, it is seen to have contributed to efforts to move the ROK-Peru comprehensive strategic partnership substantially forward.


* unofficial translation