1. Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Choi Jong Kun visited Nigeria from August 18^th to 19^th as the final destination of his tour to three African countries. During his visit, he met with H.E. Zubairu Dada, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, and H.E. Rotimi Amaechi, Minister of Transportation, and had a phone call with H.E. Bashir Salihi Magashi, Minister of Defense, to discuss ways to develop Korea-Nigeria bilateral relations including maritime security cooperation in the Gulf of Guinea.

2. In his meeting with Minister of State Dada, Vice Minister Choi acknowledged the continuous development of bilateral relations with a focus on economic cooperation for over 40 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations. He also expressed hope to strengthen substantive cooperation between the two countries alongside active high-level exchanges brought about by his visit to Nigeria.

° Both sides shared the view that there is great potential for further cooperation considering Korea’s technological advancement and Nigeria’s huge population and abundant resources, and agreed to further expand economic cooperation between the two countries. Vice Minister Choi emphasized the need for amicable resolutions to difficulties experienced by Korean companies operating in Nigeria to ultimately create a favorable business environment for these companies, and Minister of State Dada agreed to make efforts to address the issues and to look into their business activities.

° In addition, recognizing the significance of establishing institutional foundations to further expand economic cooperation, the two countries agreed to look into the progress of various pending agreements such as the double taxation prevention agreement and the revision of the investment promotion and protection agreement.

° Vice Minister Choi also said that there is increased concern in the international community, including Korea, on the frequent occurrence of kidnap incidents in the Gulf of Guinea and explained Korea’s bilateral and multilateral efforts to strengthen maritime security in this area. Minister of State Dada expressed appreciation for Korean support and emphasized the need for international collaboration and assistance on this issue as piracy cannot be resolved by a single country.

° The two sides agreed to hold the 6^th Korea-Nigeria Joint Commission at the earliest possible time in Seoul to have a deeper discussion on issues that were addressed in this meeting. Furthermore, they agreed to carry on high-level exchanges on the occasions of the UN PKO Ministerial and the 5^th Korea-Africa Forum to be held in December, and continue close cooperation in the international fora.

3. In the meeting between Vice Minister Choi and Minister of Transportation Amaechi, Minister Amaechi explained Nigeria’s policy and legislation efforts as well as division of labor within the Nigerian government to strengthen maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea, and the two sides discussed various ways of cooperation in this area.

° Vice Minister Choi expressed hope that the Nigerian government’s “Deep Blue Project” to enhance maritime security would bring a successful outcome. He also suggested the Ministry of Transportation’s participation in the 6^th Korea-Nigeria Joint Commission to continue consultations considering that the Nigerian Ministry of Transportation is the supervising agency of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) in charge of security in brown waters, and Minister Amaechi confirmed the Ministry’s attendance.

4. Vice Minister Choi had a phone call with Minister of Defense Magashi and discussed ways to expand defense cooperation and maritime security cooperation in the Gulf of Guinea. Minister Magashi expressed appreciation for Korean contribution and both sides decided to strengthen cooperation on this issue.

5. Vice Minster Choi’s visit to Nigeria was the first ever visit of a Korean Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, and contributed to expanding exchanges and cooperation with Nigeria, a country with the largest share of projects among Korean construction companies in sub-Saharan Africa, and establishing a basis for Korean companies to expand their businesses into the African market with the official commencement of the African Continental Free Trade Area as of this year. The visit also strengthened political cooperation between the two countries including maritime security cooperation in the Gulf of Guinea and cooperation in the international arena.

° In particular, Vice Minister Choi consulted with key Nigerian government actors regarding maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea: Ministry of Foreign Affairs in charge of international cooperation, Ministry of Defense in charge of security in blue waters, Ministry of Transportation in charge of security in brown waters. Through these encounters, he not only established a multidimensional cooperation channel but also sought cooperative measures suitable for each government agency, thereby deepening Korea’s level of engagement regarding maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea.

6. Vice Minister Choi’s visit to Morocco, Senegal and Nigeria is deemed to have revitalized bilateral cooperation with key partner countries in North and West Africa as well as to have further expanded Korea’s diplomatic horizon as a middle power country.