The leaders of South Korea and Panama will hold summit talks in Seoul next week on boosting trade and investment as well as promoting cooperation in the energy and infrastructure sectors, South Korea's presidential office Cheong Wa Dae said Wednesday.
"Panamanian President Ricardo Martinelli is scheduled to make a state visit to South Korea from Oct. 19-21," it said in a press release.
The trip is to reciprocate President Lee Myung-bak's travel to the Central American nation in June. It is the first visit here by a Panamanian president since the two countries forged diplomatic relations in 1962, according to Cheong Wa Dae.
In their summit slated for Wednesday, the presidents plan to review the implementation of follow-up measures to their June meeting in Panama City and "discuss ways to promote substantial cooperation in various fields such as trade, investment, natural resources, and infrastructure," it said.
In particular, Lee plans to ask for the Panamanian government's support for South Korean firms seeking easier access to copper mine development and canal expansion constructions in Panama, Cheong Wa Dae said.
The Panamanian Embassy in Seoul, meanwhile, said the two sides will sign an agreement on avoiding double taxations during the president's trip.