SEOUL, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- South Korea and Sweden agreed to enhance bilateral cooperation on the global financial crisis, climate change, and energy issues, the South Korean foreign ministry said Friday.

    South Korea's Foreign Minister Yu Myung-hwan and his Swedish counterpart Carl Bildt had broad discussions over practical measures for closer cooperation, such as expanding high-rank official meetings and strengthening ties in science and technology sectors, when holding talks at the Foreign Ministry, the ministry said.

    The ministers also expressed satisfaction over the development of the bilateral ties since 1959 not only in the economic and trade sectors but also in other fields, including education, culture, and science, and agreed to further deepen the relations, the ministry said.

    In particular, the South Korean foreign minister asked Sweden for aid in enhancing the nation's relations with the European Union (EU) and promoting the South Korea-EU free trade agreement as Sweden holds office as the EU president nation in the first half of the year.

    Bildt arrived here on Thursday for a four-day trip, as the two countries celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations.