S. Korea, Madagascar top diplomats agree to cooperate in pressing N. Korea

SEOUL, July 22 (Yonhap) -- The foreign ministers of South Korea and Madagascar agreed on Friday to tighten their cooperation in implementing the tough resolution the United Nations adopted to punish North Korea for its defiant nuclear and long-range missile tests early this year, the foreign ministry said.

Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se and his Madagascan counterpart Beatrice Atallah also "strongly lambasted" the North's latest nuclear test and vowed to strengthen joint efforts to implement the U.N. resolution 2270 during their talks held in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Seoul earlier in the day, according to a press release.

"They share the understanding that North Korea's nuclear and missile provocations constitute a serious threat to the peace and safety of the Korean Peninsula and the international community," the ministry said.

North Korea conducted its fourth nuclear test in January, followed by a long-range missile launch the following month, drawing condemnation across the globe.

The ministers also agreed to further expand two-way partnership, especially in business investment and trade.

The Madagascan minister expressed hopes for expanded economic cooperation with Korea and asked for more investment on the southeastern African country from South Korean enterprises, according to the release.

They also agreed to accelerate efforts to forge a double tax avoidance agreement, an investment protection pact and inter-governmental trade deals which could lead to more economic exchange.

Yun and Atallah pledged to cement their collaboration on the international stage with South Korea's participation as an observer in the summit meeting of the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie in November. The gathering aims to further expand ties among nations speaking French as a first language, the ministry said.

pbr@yna.co.kr
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