1. On May 26, Minister of Foreign Affairs Chung Eui-yong spoke on the phone with Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan Mukhtar Tileuberdi and exchanged views on issues of mutual interest, such as Korea-Kazakhstan relations, substantive cooperation, and cooperation on the international stage.

2. The two foreign ministers appreciated that the two countries have been continuously holding high-level diplomatic meetings, both virtually and face to face, despite the difficulties caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. They also agreed to work together closely in promoting economic cooperation and in arranging events to celebrate the 30^th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Korea and Kazakhstan in 2022.

o Foreign Minister Chung highlighted that Kazakhstan is a key partner in implementing Korea’s New Northern Policy and expressed his hope to further increase mutually beneficial cooperation based on the outcomes of the Fresh Wind, a new program aimed at boosting economic cooperation between the two countries.

o Foreign Minister Tileuberdi stated that Kazakhstan attaches great importance to working with Korea, a major trade partner and strategic partner to Kazakhstan. He also hoped that Kazakhstan and Korea, a country with strong industrial competitiveness, could cooperate more closely in a wide range of areas.

3. The two ministers agreed that the Korea-Central Asia Cooperation Forum, which was upgraded to a ministerial level last year, has provided a new momentum to take Korea-Central Asia relations to the next level. They also agreed to put in continued efforts to strengthen bilateral cooperation, as well as Korea-Central Asia cooperation, by actively participating in the forum.