▲ 외교부는 28일 서울에서 중미 7개국 차관과 미국 부통령실·국무부 대표단이 참석한 '한-중미 특별 라운드테이블'을개최했다. 외교부

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Oct. 28 hosted the Korea-Central America Special Roundtable, in which vice ministers of seven Central American countries and delegates from the U.S. Office of the Vice President and Department of State participated. (Ministry of Foreign Affairs)

By Kim Hyelin and Lee Jihae

The government will expand cooperation with the U.S. and seven Central American countries in several sectors such as climate change, agriculture and the rising number of immigrants.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Seoul on Oct. 28 said it held the Korea-Central America Special Roundtable, in which vice ministers of seven Central American countries and delegates from the U.S. Office of the Vice President and the Department of State participated.

The roundtable is the first trilateral platform among Korea, the U.S. and Central America formed and led by Seoul. Vice foreign affairs ministers from Costa Rica, Guatemala, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Honduras and Belize and a vice trade minister from Panama took part.

The roundtable mainly discussed cooperation in handling Central American immigrants and climate change. Vice ministers from Central American countries lauded Korea’s cooperation in Central America’s inclusive and sustainable development and also urged further expansion of cooperation in trade, investment, agriculture, eco-friendly infrastructure and digital government.

Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Choi Jong Kun, who chaired the meeting, said, “This year is a special year in which Korea-Central American cooperation developed dynamically.”

“The special roundtable is a venue to reconfirm our government’s intent to expand cooperation with Central America.”

The government plans to hold regular meetings of the roundtable based on the results of this edition and improve strategic cooperation with Central America.

kimhyelin211@korea.kr