Korean President Lee Myung-bak and Mexican President Felipe Calderon Hinojosa celebrated 50 years of the countries' relations and pledged to work closely together to further move the ties forward, the presidential office said Thursday.
Exchanging celebratory messages marking the anniversary, Lee said relations between the two countries date back to 1905 when 1,033 Koreans emigrated to the country. He added that the two countries have made marked progress in relations since the 1962 establishment of diplomatic ties.
Calderon also said the two sides have cooperated closely as key allies in promoting sustainable growth and improving global justice and equality, and this year is a significant point in reaffirming the friendly cooperative relations, the presidential office said in a statement.
Lee expressed hope for greater cooperation in trade, energy and infrastructure, noting that the two countries have mutually supplementary industry structures. Calderon also said the two sides have great potential to strengthen various cooperation as strategic partners.
Lee also proposed closer cooperation on regional and global issues, such as climate change, U.N reforms and green growth. Calderon said Korea is an important partner that Mexico can work together with to promote democracy, human rights, peace and environmental protection.
Lee also hoped for Mexico's successful hosting of a G20 summit in June. (Yonhap)