1. Director-General for Latin American and Caribbean Affairs Hwang Kyung-tae held the 2nd Korea-Honduras policy consultation with Director General of Foreign Policy of Honduras Diana Valladares in a virtual format on the morning of December 18, and had a broad exchange of views on response to COVID-19 and hurricanes, trade and investment cooperation, and regional cooperation.

2. Director-General Hwang noted with appreciation that since establishing diplomatic relations in 1962, Korea and Honduras, as close partners, have worked actively together on the international stage as liked-minded countries and have also collaborated actively including having a phone conversation between the leaders of the two countries (Jun. 12) even amid the COVID-19 pandemic, and went on to suggest that the two countries also continue close communication in an efforts to strengthen post-COVID-19 cooperation.

3. Director General Valladares conveyed the Honduran government’s strong commitment to advancing bilateral relations, and expressed sincere appreciation, saying that the Korean government’s humanitarian assistance to support Honduras’ response to COVID-19 and hurricanes was helpful for overcoming the crises.

4. The two sides shared the view that the environment for economic cooperation between Korea and Honduras has significantly improved with the entry into force of the Korea-Central America Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and Korea’s accession to the Central American Bank for Economic Integration (CABEI). Director-General Hwang asked for the Honduran government’s interest and support so that cooperation among Honduras, CABEI, and Korea can deepen in various sectors including energy and infrastructure.

5. Director-General Hwang hoped to continue to cooperate with Honduras in ensuring smooth distribution of COVID-19 vaccines through the COVAX Facility and proposed Honduras’ accession to the International Vaccine Institute (IVI). He also suggested that the two countries, by fully utilizing the Korean New Deal, reinforce substantive cooperation in e-government and environmentally-friendly public transportation projects that the Honduran government is focusing on post COVID-19.

o Director General Valladares welcomed Director-General Hwang’s proposal and expressed hope that the two countries would work actively together to ensure the success of the Honduran government’s key projects based on Korea’s advanced technologies and know-how.

6. In addition, the two sides agreed to actively explore ways to cooperate so that such historic occasions as the 30th anniversary of the Central American Integration System (SICA) and the bicentennial of the independence of Central American countries next year can provide an opportunity to further advance Korea-Honduras relations.

7. The 2nd Korea-Honduras policy consultation, held in three years after the first one in 2017, served as a meaningful opportunity to affirm the progress in friendly and cooperative relations that the two countries have established while overcoming COVID-19 and hurricanes together, as well as to discuss ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation in preparation for the post-COVID-19 era.