President Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s speech to the Second International Forum for Northern Economic Cooperation

Distinguished Mr. Chairman!

Esteemed Heads of Delegations!

Dear Participants of the Forum!

Ladies and Gentlemen!

It is a great pleasure for me to greet the participants of the Second International Forum for Northern Economic Cooperation.

I would like to thank His Excellency the President of the Republic of Korea Mr. Moon Jae-In for the invitation to take part in this important event dedicated to the efforts towards joint overcoming of the impact of coronavirus pandemic and enhancement of our partnership.

Amid the complicated situation in the world and the global crisis, it is this very format of multilateral dialogue that allows us to effectively confront new challenges and threats, contributing to the stability, prosperity and sustainable development of our countries.

Dear Forum Participants!

We in Uzbekistan highly appreciate the New Northern Policy of the President of the Republic of Korea, aimed at ensuring security and enhancing the multifaceted cooperation in the vast Eurasian space.

I would like to briefly dwell on the most significant aspects of regional policies and the prospects for our interaction.

First. The global spread of COVID-19 has shown the need for close coordination and broad international cooperation among the states of the region.

I thank our Korean and other partners for their support in confronting this disease in Uzbekistan.

We propose to continue our joint efforts in the following areas:

- development of effective vaccines and serums, systems for rapid and accurate diagnosis of diseases on the basis of a pharmaceutical cluster being set up in cooperation with Korean companies;

- establishment of cutting-edge laboratories and modernization of sanitary control points at our borders;

- training of epidemiologist and virologist doctors with the participation of leading higher education institutions of the Republic of Korea;

- creation of enterprises for the disposal of medical waste;

- introduction of an integrated system for monitoring and early warning in the epidemiological situation in the region.

Second. We consider the Republic of Korea one of the key promoters of digital and green technologies to our country.

Currently, dozens of major projects in high-tech industries are being realized in Uzbekistan with the participation of leading Korean companies and banks.

We intend to continue to fully support and encourage the activities of Korean investors.

We are also willing to take an active part in the Seoul Summit of Partnering for Green Growth and the Global Goals 2030.

Third. The consistent implementation of the New Northern Policy has highlighted the exigency of developing efficient regional transport corridors.

First of all, it is about combining the routes of the Trans-Siberian Railway and the Western Europe - Western China corridor with projects of new railways in our region.

In these circumstances, the Korean Peninsula can become a critical communication bridge connecting the Pacific region with the countries of Central and South Asia.

We suggest considering these unique opportunities at the expert level.

Fourth. The Central Asia - Republic of Korea Cooperation Forum is instrumental in consolidating our partnership.

New initiatives and projects are being implemented within its framework, and mutually advantageous cooperation in investments, innovation, transport, healthcare, education and culture has been enhancing.

In the meantime, there is an objective need today to bring our interaction to a new, higher level, and hold a meeting of the Forum with the participation of the heads of government.

I am convinced that together we will turn the Central Asia - Republic of Korea Cooperation Forum into an effective mechanism for promoting priority programs and projects.

Fifth. Uzbekistan fully supports President Moon Jae-In’s energetic efforts to achieve lasting peace on the Korean Peninsula and regards them as an important contribution to ensuring regional and global security.

In Central Asia, we have accumulated unique experience in creating a nuclear-weapon-free zone.

The corresponding treaty initiated by Uzbekistan went through a complex process of coordination among the participants, and it received essential guarantees from the major nuclear powers.

Today it is an effective political and legal mechanism in providing for nuclear safety in Central Asia.

For extensive exchange of experience, we propose to hold an international expert forum on nuclear disarmament and nuclear-weapon-free zones.

Dear ladies and gentlemen!

The Republic of Korea is a special, reliable strategic partner for the Republic of Uzbekistan.

The history of diplomatic, trade and cultural relations between our two nations goes back to millennia.

These bonds of friendship are built on the similarity of mentality, traditional values and customs of our peoples.

An important factor in strengthening our robust ties is the considerable Korean diaspora in Uzbekistan.

These citizens of ours make a remarkable contribution to the advancement of the country.

In conclusion, I would like to express my confidence that today’s Forum will open up new prospects for the development of long-term and comprehensive cooperation of our countries in the interests of peace and prosperity of the entire region.

Thank you for attention.