President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev held talks in Seoul with South Korean President Lee Jae-myung in a narrow format and with the participation of official delegation members. This was reported by the press service of the President of Uzbekistan. The talks thoroughly discussed issues of further development and strengthening of the special strategic partnership between Uzbekistan and South Korea.
The South Korean President warmly welcomed the Uzbek leader, noting that this visit is an important event in the history of relations developing on the basis of friendship and mutual respect. In turn, the Uzbek leader emphasized that the Republic of Korea has become a reliable friend and one of the most important economic partners of Uzbekistan over the years. It was noted with satisfaction that trade turnover and investment indicators are growing. More than 700 joint ventures with South Korean capital operate in Uzbekistan.
Within the framework of cooperation with the Korea International Cooperation Agency, the Export-Import Bank and the "EDCF" fund, dozens of projects are being implemented in the fields of medicine and healthcare, industry, ICT, agriculture and water management, energy, infrastructure and education. During the talks, the need to intensify contacts between parliaments, ministries and agencies, regional leaders and business circles was noted.
The head of state outlined five priority areas for further expanding economic cooperation with Korea. These are — expanding trade relations, increasing investment volume, developing cooperation in the field of critical minerals, transport and infrastructure. Following the current visit, further expansion of the investment portfolio was noted. In particular, promising projects worth about 12 billion US dollars have been prepared. A Strategic Cooperation Program with the Export-Import Bank of Korea has been adopted.
The parties focused on forming a strong innovation and technological alliance based on Korea's advanced technologies and Uzbekistan's resource and industrial potential. It was proposed to focus the alliance's activities on such priority areas as information technology and cybersecurity, as well as the introduction of high-tech and digital solutions in medicine, healthcare and the pharmaceutical industry. Readiness was expressed to develop military-technical cooperation, including expanding interagency contacts, organizing joint events and training military specialists.
The results of the Interregional Forum, held for the first time in the history of cooperation between the two countries on the eve of the visit, were highly appreciated. An agreement was reached to hold the next forum in Samarkand. During the talks, the presidents placed special emphasis on deepening cooperation in education and personnel training. It was noted that four branches of South Korean universities operate in Uzbekistan, training highly qualified personnel in pedagogy, IT, engineering, digital technologies and other priority areas of the modern economy.
In addition, 5 vocational training centers established with the support of KOICA are effectively operating in Uzbekistan. These centers provide broad opportunities for our youth to improve their knowledge and skills to realize their abilities and potential in the future. The important role of the forum of rectors of higher educational institutions of the two countries in exchanging practical experience in personnel training was particularly emphasized.
It was noted that cultural exchange, which serves to strengthen mutual understanding and friendly ties between peoples, is of great importance in developing relations. The head of state emphasized that the large Korean diaspora is an integral part of Uzbekistan's multi-ethnic family and a "spiritual bridge" between the two countries and peoples. In order to further develop these humanitarian ties, an agreement was reached to declare 2027 the "Year of Culture and Mutual Exchanges" and to hold joint cultural and humanitarian events. In conclusion, the proximity of the parties' positions on the discussed issues of regional and international significance was confirmed.
Source: www.gazeta.uz