1. On the sidelines of the Group of 20 (G20) Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from February 21 to 22, Minister of Foreign Affairs Cho Tae-yul had bilateral meetings with Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs Mélanie Joly, Japanese Minister for Foreign Affairs Kamikawa Yoko, and Italian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Edmondo Cirielli on February 21. On the following day, February 22, Foreign Minister Cho had bilateral pull-aside meetings with French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Stéphane Séjourné, German Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs Annalena Baerbock, and Portuguese Minister of Foreign Affairs João Cravinho. In those meetings, the two sides exchanged views on bilateral relations, cooperation on the international stage and regional affairs. In addition, during the dinner hosted by the Mayor of Rio on February 21, Foreign Minister Cho extensively exchanged views on North Korea and other major international issues with United Kingdom Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs David Cameron.

2. In the meeting with French Foreign Minister Séjourné, the two sides agreed to step up cooperation in such areas as high-level exchanges and cutting-edge industries. Foreign Minister Cho, in particular, suggested that the two sides continue close consultation on France’s revised subsidy system for electric vehicles, asking for Foreign Minister Séjourné’s keen attention.

3. In the meeting with German Foreign Minister Baerbock, the two sides appreciated the ongoing robust high-level exchanges since around the 140^th anniversary of the establishment of Korea-Germany diplomatic relations in 2023 and agreed to continue top-level exchanges as discussed by the Presidents of the two countries in their telephone conversation on February 20. They also agreed that the two manufacturing powerhouses will bolster future-oriented cooperation mainly in the cutting-edge technology sector.

4. In the meeting with Foreign Minister João Cravinho of Portugal, a guest country to the 2024 G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, two sides took note of vigorous high-level exchanges between the two countries including the Portuguese Prime Minister’s visit to Korea last April, and agreed to make efforts to reinforce cooperation mainly in areas with high potential for bilateral cooperation such as semiconductors and electric vehicles.

5. In the conversation with UK Foreign Secretary Cameron at the dinner event, the two sides exchanged views on major regional and global issues including North Korea’s provocations and its human rights issue as well as those regarding Ukraine and the Middle East. They agreed to work closely together in implementing the follow-up to President Yoon Suk Yeol’s successful state visit to the UK last year.

6. In the bilateral meetings with the foreign (or deputy foreign) ministers of the UK, France, Germany and Italy, -- all members of the Group of 7 (G7) countries -- the two sides agreed to further step up cooperation at the G7 and the G20, among others. With the UK and France, -- both permanent members of the United Nations Security Council -- Korea, a member of the UN Security Council for the 2024-2025 term, agreed to work closely together on major global issues, such as those concerning North Korea, Ukraine, and the Israel-Hamas armed conflict.

7. Foreign Minister Cho is seen to have reinforced the foundation for close cooperation with the G7 countries at bilateral and multilateral levels by having meetings with the foreign (or deputy foreign) ministers of all of the G7 countries on the sidelines of the G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting.