Presidents of Uzbekistan and Korea hold an Online Summit

On 28 January, the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev held a meeting with the President of the Republic of Korea Moon Jae-in via videoconference.

The agreement on conducting the current summit was reached during the latest contacts of the two leaders in October last year.

The agenda of today’s negotiations included the acute issues of development and strengthening Uzbekistan – Korea centuries-long friendship and special strategic partnership.

Opening up the event and warmly greeting one another, the heads of states have underscored that this meeting is the first summit for both sides this new year. This once again testifies about the highest level of bilateral cooperation.

As it was emphasized, despite the consequences of pandemics, the multifaceted relationship between Uzbekistan and Korea continued to dynamically develop. Last year the leaders of the countries have held two telephone conversations and jointly participated in the International Forum for Northern Economic Cooperation.

In complex conditions the sides have ensured implementation of the large investment and trade projects. They have also launched the new sites of cooperation. Among them, there is a unique in the region – the modern children’s multidisciplinary medical center established in Tashkent with the support and participation of the South Korean partners.

President of Uzbekistan has highly appreciated the tangible contribution of the Korean side to the international efforts on combatting the new coronavirus infection and expressed deep gratitude for profound practical support rendered to Uzbekistan in prevention, effective treatment and rehabilitation of persons to have overcome this dangerous disease.

Speaking about bilateral relations, the leaders stood up for further strengthening special strategic partnerships and enhancing comprehensive cooperation.

The sides have agreed to continue the regular political consultations, strengthen the parliamentary exchanges and prepare the program of bilateral events on celebrating the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

The leaders considered the current and prospective programs of interactions in higher, vocational and preschool education, healthcare, digitalization and restoration of cultural heritage sites.

The leaders have noted with satisfaction the growing number of branches of the leading South Korean universities and joint centers for vocational training of cadres in the regions of Uzbekistan. Special attention was paid to expanding learning national languages at the leading higher education institutions, as well as comprehensively supporting the Korean diaspora.

In the economic sphere, productive work was emphasized, which was put in place at the level of governments and agencies of Uzbekistan and Korea. The Presidents have instructed to continue these contacts to advance the investment projects and rapidly addressing the emerging issues.

It was emphasized that this year, within the framework of ongoing projects with the participation of Korean partners, the implementation of investments for up to $400 million is expected. Moreover, 55 new projects are being prepared in high-tech industries worth more than $3.4 billion, including the power-generating sector, oil and gas complex, chemistry and petrochemicals, pharmaceuticals, refining industry, agriculture, infrastructure upgrade, transport and logistics, tourism and many other sectors.

A high assessment was given to the effective cooperation with the Economic Development Cooperation Fund (EDCF) and Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) in promoting the bilateral priority programs.

The heads of states have noted the importance of increasing the mutual trade volume. In recent years, record levels of trade turnover have been achieved.

Special attention was paid to the issues of leveling the imbalance and diversification of the range of export-import operations, interactions of phytosanitary services to expand the supply of agricultural products.

To this end, the parties will start the negotiations to conclude a bilateral free trade agreement.

President Moon Jae-in has once again reaffirmed that the Korean side will provide all-round support in the issue of Uzbekistan’s accession to the World Trade Organization.

The summit has also included an exchange of views on the global and regional agenda.

The parties will continue close interactions within the framework of the United Nations and other international structures, as well as within the framework of the Republic of Korea – Central Asia Cooperation Forum to promote programs in high technologies, green and digital economy.

The President of the Republic of Uzbekistan expressed continued support for Seoul’s efforts to find a peaceful solution to the situation on the Korean peninsula. The parties’ initiatives to strengthen the regional connectivity were highly appreciated.

The leaders dwelled on the issues of cooperation in the ecological sphere, including support for the activities of the Multi-Partner Trust Fund for the Aral Sea region.

The schedule of the upcoming events at the highest level was considered. President Moon Jae-in has confirmed the invitation to President Shavkat Mirziyoyev to pay a visit to the Republic of Korea.

Following the summit, a Memorandum of Cooperation in the digitalization was signed to promote the fourth industrial revolution, an Agreement on the Three-Year Program Implementation with the EDCF for $1 billion, loan agreements on the projects for the construction of a modern multidisciplinary clinic and a design institute – Center for Chemical Technology.

Moreover, the agreements have been concluded at the level of leading companies on the modernization of important energy infrastructure facilities in Uzbekistan.

The leaders have expressed deep satisfaction with the outcomes of the summit, which took place in a traditionally open, warm, constructive and friendly atmosphere.

They have both noted that the online meeting was a very timely one and in terms of their effectiveness did not yield to the practice of face-to-face meetings.

The Presidents have once again confirmed the decisive commitment to strengthen friendship and full-scale partnership and take to a new quality level the mutually beneficial cooperation in the interests of the two brotherly countries and nations.

UzA