Kufuor meets Korean Foreign Minister

Accra, Jan. 30, GNA - President John Agyekum Kufuor on Monday granted audience to the South Korean Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Mr Ban Ki-moon at the Castle, Osu.

It is the first time a Foreign Minister of that country has visited Ghana and this is seen as an important milestone in the bilateral relations of the two countries.

Mr Ki-moon conveyed a special message to President Kufuor from his Korean counterpart. The contents were, however, not disclosed. He used the occasion to renew the invitation of his country to President Kufuor to pay an official visit. The Koreans had expected the visit in June 2005 but the President could not make it. President Kufuor said Ghana wanted to strengthen its relations with Korea, in view of the technical and technological benefits to be derived.

Already, Korean companies are engaged in a petroleum pipeline project from Buipe to Bolgatanga, the Tema Oil Refinery and operating a number of fishing companies on the shores of Ghana. President Kufuor said the balance of trade between Ghana and Korea as it stood now was in their favour and that a careful look would have to be taken to ensure parity.