RIYADH: Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council Jassem Mohamed Albudaiwi has held a series of meetings in Riyadh with foreign ambassadors to Saudi Arabia. On Friday, he met the South Korean Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Park Joon-yong at the general secretariat headquarters in Riyadh. The secretary-general reviewed with the ambassador the developments of the free trade agreement between the GCC countries and South Korea, which was signed in December 2023. Both sides expressed their desire to enhance cooperation between the GCC and South Korea and increase focus on areas of mutual interest such as education, health, investment and pharmaceuticals. Albudaiwi said that economic and trade relations between the GCC and South Korea were progressing following the initial signing of the free trade agreement, which would bring economic benefits to both sides. The meeting also reviewed relations between the GCC and South Korea, and the importance of enhancing strategic dialogue through the areas of cooperation outlined in the joint action plan. Additionally, the meeting discussed the latest regional and international developments and issues of mutual interest. In a separate meeting, Albudaiwi met with Slovakia’s Ambassador to the Kingdom Rudolf Michalka at the general secretariat’s headquarters in Riyadh on Friday. Also Albudaiwi met with Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Georgia to the Kingdom Vakhtang Jaoshvili, the council reported. During the meetings, the officials discussed ways to strengthen relations between the GCC, Georgia and Slovakia. They also exchanged views on current regional and international events and issues.