Uzbekistan’s President Shavkat Mirziyoyev spoke at the inaugural Central Asia–South Korea summit in Seoul, delivering a keynote address that outlined the region’s future cooperation with South Korea. His speech went beyond the previously announced five initiatives, offering a broader vision for bilateral relations.

The head of state recalled that South Korea was among the first, as early as 2007, to recognize Central Asia’s enormous potential for close, mutually beneficial partnership. He emphasized that ties are rooted in the routes of the Great Silk Road, and that the Korean diaspora has become a vivid symbol of solidarity and mutual sympathy between the peoples.

Mirziyoyev noted that today the region demonstrates growth above 6%, with combined GDP exceeding $500 billion, while Central Asia is turning into a “region of stability” and a “hub of global connectivity for Eurasia.” South Korea, in turn, was described as “one of the world’s leaders in modern technology, innovation, and knowledge-intensive production.”

The president separately stated that Uzbekistan supports Seoul’s course toward establishing peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula. “I am confident that the fusion of these powerful potentials will open new frontiers for building mutually beneficial partnership,” he said.

In conclusion, Mirziyoyev emphasized Uzbekistan’s readiness to host events next year marking the 35th anniversary of diplomatic relations with Korea and the 90th anniversary of the Korean diaspora’s presence in Central Asia.

On practical steps, the president outlined the five already-formulated initiatives: a long-term strategy and digital security, trade growth and an industrial park, an alliance on critical minerals, a climate partnership, and training youth for the technology economy.

Source: podrobno.uz