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Putin aims to boost mutually beneficial cooperation with South Korea

At a meeting with the Republic of Korea’s President Park Geun-hye, Putin thanked her for the participation in the Eastern Economic Forum.

VLADIVOSTOK, September 3. /TASS/. Russia’s President Vladimir Putin hopes to boost mutually beneficial cooperation with the Republic of Korea.

At a meeting with the Republic of Korea’s President Park Geun-hye, Putin thanked her for taking part in the Eastern Economic Forum.

"We greatly appreciate the cooperation between our countries, and the Republic of Korea is, of course, one of our priorities in the Asia-Pacific Region," he said, adding that economic relations between Moscow and Seoul are "very diverse." He noted projects in energy, home appliances, electronics, machinery, and chemistry. The Russian president also mentioned the building up ties between their governments and parliaments.

"Sure, we support your initiative to organize a Year of Korean Culture in Russia," Putin said. 

Free trade area with South Korea might be considered after the ending of the forum, Economic Development Minister Ulyukayev has mentioned earlier in the day. 

The Korean President Park Geun-hye, in her turn, thanked the Russian president for the invitation to the Eastern Economic Forum, which may offer a "solid base for developing our cooperation in the Far East Region."

She continued by saying relations between Russia and the Republic of Korea "are always of great importance." The president said in order to boost cooperation, both countries first need to reinforce trust. At Saturday’s meeting with Putin, she suggested boosting further practical cooperation between the countries.