Costa Rica backs dialogue with NK
Costa Rica has reaffirmed its support for a peaceful and nuclear-free Korean Peninsula and the efforts led by the South Korean government with the recent Berlin Initiative, Costa Rica’s Foreign Minister Manuel Gonzalez Sanz says.
Sanz was in South Korea for the eighth Forum for East Asia-Latin America Cooperation (FEALAC) in Busan on Aug. 31.
He told The Korea Times that the international community should facilitate a comprehensive solution through sincere dialogue and negotiation, based on North Korea’s obligation to respect and uphold internationally recognized human rights, to secure long-lasting peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula.
“As reaffirmed by our President Luis Guillermo Solis Rivera during his official visit to Korea last October, our nation’s commitment to continue expressing full support for further additional and significant measures to deter the nuclear threat on the Korean Peninsula remains unwavering,” Sanz said.
During the visit, Sanz met his South Korean counterpart Kang Kyung-wha and discussed areas of mutual interest, including commerce and investment that both countries have developed in the framework of the Comprehensive Cooperation Partnership.
This was established in October 2016 during President Rivera’s visit to Seoul, which Kang described as an “historic milestone” in diplomatic relations between the two.
Sanz said that South Korea and Costa Rica have put forth cooperation programs in areas such as e-government, research and development, as well as information technologies, and promoted the exchange of knowledge in the fields of health, sustainable environment, education and culture, among others.
“The cultural exchange between the two nations, through artistic events and the growing participation of youth in different language, academic and cultural programs, has contributed to a better understanding and appreciation of respective cultures and traditions,” he said.
The excellent educational opportunities provided by South Korea, both at the pre-graduate and post-graduate levels, to prominent Costa Rican students, and the growing exchange programs for Korean students that are available in Costa Rica, have also been an area of meaningful collaboration, Sanz added.
The two ministers agreed to work together on universal values and principles — human rights, peace and dialogue, respect for human rights and the promotion of democracy.
They also discussed ways to promote human talent to embrace the opportunities of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
“It is my sincere belief that technology and innovation and the exploration of new ideas for collaboration and cooperation will be of great importance in the future of our countries,” Sanz said.
“Of particular interest to move forward will be all efforts related to the future economy, the creation of new jobs, the creation of startups and collaborative initiatives concerning the creative economy, robotics and pharmaceuticals.”
Sanz, mentioning the 55th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries Aug. 15, expressed his determination to be the best friend and partner of South Korea in the Central American and Caribbean regions, as Korea is for Costa Rica in the Asia Pacific region.
“Both our nations are bound by the same universal values and principles concerning democracy, human rights, peace and regional stability,” Sanz said.
“I am certain that with the new Comprehensive Cooperation Partnership we will continue to work closely with South Korea in all matters of mutual interest.”