1. Prime Minister Kim Hwang-sik held bilateral meetings in his Office on March 28 with the heads of the Algerian and Israeli delegations, Abdelkader Bensalah and Dan Meridor, to the 2012 Seoul Nuclear Security Summit that had taken place on March 26-27.

2. In the ROK-Algeria meeting, Prime Minister Kim and President of the Algerian Senate Bensalah noted with appreciation the steady promotion of cooperative relations between the two countries since the declaration of the bilateral strategic partnership in 2006; and exchanged views on ways to increase economic cooperation in various fields, such as forming a joint consortium of companies of the two countries.

° The ROK side requested that the Algerian government take a particular interest in and render support to the ROK companies operating in the country, which the two sides agreed will be discussed in detail at future meetings of the bilateral Joint Commission and Taskforce on Economic Cooperation.

3. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Kim and Israeli Deputy Prime Minister Meridor took note of the efforts of the international community to resolve the North Korean and Iranian nuclear issues. On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the ROK-Israel diplomatic relations, they discussed ways to step up cooperation in such fields as economy, culture, defense industry and education. Prime Minister Kim requested the cooperation of the Israeli government in reducing difficulties facing the residents, travelers and businesspeople from the ROK in Israel, including those involving their safety, visa and employment permit.

* As of January 2012, there were some 860 residents and 40,000 visitors of ROK nationality in Israel.

4. President of the Algerian Senate Bensalah and Israeli Deputy Prime Minister Meridor wrapped up their visits and left the ROK on March 28.

                Spokesperson and Deputy Minister for Public Relations of MOFAT

* unofficial translation