1. Minister of Foreign Affairs Chung Eui-yong had a telephone conversation with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Ethiopia Demeke Mekonnen Hassen on July 1 and exchanged views on bilateral relations, the current situation in Ethiopia and cooperation in the international fora.

2. Minister Chung was briefed by Minister Demeke on the current development in Tigray, Ethiopia and expressed hope that the recent cease-fire declared by the Ethiopian government will be a positive starting point for Ethiopia to restore peace and stability.

o He also stressed that the humanitarian crisis in the region should be resolved as soon as possible and requested that the Ethiopian government continue its efforts to ensure unhindered humanitarian access to the Tigray region.

3. The two Ministers took note with appreciation that the two countries have continued high-level exchanges such as telephone conversations both at summit and minister levels even amid the COVID-19 pandemic, and agreed to maintain close communication to further continue such exchanges between the two countries.