S. Korea, Panama to seek closer economic ties in vice FM talks

SEOUL, Aug. 8 (Yonhap) -- Senior South Korean and Panamanian diplomats will hold talks here later this week on deepening economic and other ties between the two sides, Seoul's foreign ministry said Wednesday.

In a meeting with María Luisa Navarro, Panama's vice minister for multilateral affairs and cooperation, on Friday, her South Korean counterpart Cho Hyun plans to discuss ways to promote bilateral trade.

In February, South Korea signed free trade agreements with Panama and four other Central American nations. The four are Costa Rica, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua.

El Salvador has completed its domestic procedures for the implementation of the pact, while the other parties are still making relevant preparations.

Cho will also request the Panamanian government's support for South Korean firms seeking to participate in energy and infrastructure projects there, according to his ministry.

Among other agenda items is the Korean peninsula peace process, it added, as Seoul is campaigning to broaden international support for its dialogue initiative.

The Panamanian official will be on a visit to Seoul for a multinational session on partnerships between South Korea and Latin America.

lcd@yna.co.kr

(END)