1. Minister of Foreign Affairs Chung Eui-yong spoke over the phone with Minister of Foreign Affairs of Israel Gabi Ashkenazi on March 8 following his inauguration, and exchanged views on various issues including ways to expand cooperation between the two countries.

2. The two sides shared the view that the Korea-Israel FTA concluded between the two countries would help bilateral relations take a leap forward, and agreed to continue to expand bilateral cooperation in a range of areas including trade, technology, and public health.

o In particular, they agreed to continue cooperation in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, including sharing vaccination experiences and developing vaccine technologies.

3. Foreign Minister Chung said that the normalization of relations with Arab countries including the conclusion of the Abraham Accords last year would contribute to regional peace and stability, and commended the Israeli government’s efforts. Foreign Minister Ashkenazi expressed support for the Korean government’s efforts regarding the Korean Peninsula peace process.