Today, Argentine Foreign Minister Susana Malcorra received the Korean Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy, Joo Hyunghwan. They held a work meeting within the framework of which a Joint Communiqué on the successful conclusion of Exploratory Talks between MERCOSUR and Korea was signed, with a view to negotiating a trade agreement between both parties in the near future.
Both Ministers reviewed the main issues on the bilateral and multilateral agenda and agreed on their commitment to the multilateral trade system and on their opposition to protectionism. In addition, they considered that the signature of the Joint Communiqué is a strong political gesture in favour of an intelligent insertion into the world economy and of international trade as a driving force for sustainable development.
In this regard, they agreed that the negotiation of a trade agreement between MERCOSUR and Korea could significantly boost trade and investment flows in both directions, as well as strengthen economic cooperation between the parties.
After this first stage, each State Party to MERCOSUR and Korea will initiate the internal procedures necessary to obtain the mandate enabling the commencement of trade agreement negotiations as soon as possible.
Argentina, as President Pro Tempore of MERCOSUR during the first semester of 2017, has pledged its best efforts to seek a strengthening of economic and trade bonds with the Republic of Korea.
Press release No. 056/17
Press Office (DIPRE)
Argentine Foreign Ministry
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