CHINA’S Foreign Ministry yesterday called for talks after Costa Rica’s state-run oil company Recope said last week it had decided to abandon a US$1.5 billion refinery upgrade project it was working on with China National Petroleum Corp.

    In 2009, the two firms formed a company called Soresco, with each putting in US$50 million. But the project has been paralyzed since 2013 by Costa Rica’s comptroller after complaints of “conflicts of interest” in the feasibility studies.

    Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang said he had noted the media reports on the issue, adding that relations have been developing well in recent years.

    “As for individual problems that arise during our cooperation, we hope the relevant companies in both countries can continue to increase communication, understand each other’s concerns and find an appropriate resolution,” he told a daily news briefing, without elaborating.

    (SD-Agencies)