Top envoys of Korea, Cuba hold first talks since forging of diplomatic ties

The top diplomats of Korea and Cuba have met one-on-one for talks for the first time since the two countries established diplomatic relations earlier this year, the Foreign Ministry in Seoul said Wednesday.

Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul, right, speaks with Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Eduardo Rodriguez Parrilla in their first bilateral meeting on the margins of the UN General Assembly in New York on Tuesday. [YONHAP]

The top diplomats of Korea and Cuba have met one-on-one for talks for the first time since the two countries established diplomatic relations earlier this year, the Foreign Ministry in Seoul said Wednesday.

The talks between Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul and Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Eduardo Rodriguez Parrilla took place on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York on Tuesday, the ministry said in a release.

It marked the first such talks at the top diplomat level since the two countries made the surprise announcement in February to form diplomatic relations.

During the talks, which lasted for about half an hour, the two sides discussed a broad range of bilateral issues, including the plans to set up diplomatic missions in each other's countries, Seoul officials said.

The two countries are working to open embassies in Seoul and Havana before the end of this year.

Yonhap