WNAM MONITORING: Following the high-level negotiations held at the Kuksaroy Residence, the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev and the President of the Republic of Korea Yoon Suk Yeol made statements for media representatives.
The leaders appreciated the fruitful results of the meetings, which took place in an open and friendly atmosphere, in the spirit of constructive and trusting dialogue.
The President of Uzbekistan noted that Korea, one of the most dynamically developing countries in the world, is a time-tested, special strategic partner of Uzbekistan.
It was emphasized that the Korean Leader’s visit is taking place in the year of the 32nd anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations and the 5th anniversary of the special strategic partnership between the two states.
“Although we are separated from Korea by a considerable distance, our peoples have similar customs, values, mentality, and worldviews. As close friends, we sincerely rejoice and are proud of the enormous success achieved by the noble and generous Korean people”, the President of Uzbekistan said.
The Republic of Korea is one of Uzbekistan’s primary trade, investment, and technology partners.
The total volume of Korean investments in Uzbekistan’s economy exceeded $7.5 billion. In recent years, mutual trade has doubled, reaching $2.5 billion.
There are 726 enterprises with Korean capital. Joint projects are being implemented in industry, energy, automotive, chemical, mining, textile, food industries, IT, and other vital areas.
As the Leader of Uzbekistan noted, during negotiations with his Korean colleague, priorities for further deepening mutually beneficial cooperation were identified, new plans and guidelines were outlined.
Particular attention was paid to systematizing all mechanisms of interaction, to the importance of increasing trade turnover, and to ensuring the balance of mutual trade.
In this context, the productive results of the meeting of the Intergovernmental Committee on Economic Cooperation and the first meeting of the Strategic Dialogue between foreign affairs agencies were emphasized.
The Leader of Uzbekistan noted with satisfaction that a representative delegation of the country’s business circles arrived in Uzbekistan with the President of Korea.
Confidence was expressed that today’s business forum, with the participation of more than 80 leading Korean companies and the prepared package of new projects worth $9.6 billion, will give a powerful impetus to trade and economic cooperation.
The need to form a new high-tech agenda for the coming years of Uzbekistan – Korean special strategic partnership was stated.
For these purposes, the leaders agreed to prepare a Strategic Program to create a regional high-tech hub in Uzbekistan.
Partnerships in critical mineral resources, semiconductors, chemistry, mechanical engineering, smart agriculture, infrastructure and urban planning, and green energy are identified as the strategy’s “anchor” areas.
The President of Uzbekistan focused on some priority areas of partnership with Korean companies.
Thus, there are agreements on producing ultra-thin copper foil, green hydrogen, ammonia, agrochemical, semiconductor, and electrical products.
Uzbekistan is interested in expanding the model line and increasing car production. Specific agreements on transferring green and smart technologies from Korea in agriculture were reached.
Based on public-private partnership, Korean companies will participate in modernizing transport infrastructure.
The heads of state emphasized the importance of enhancing cooperation between the two countries’ regions.
Special attention was paid to strengthening cooperation with Uzbekistan’s traditional partners, such as the Export-Import Bank of Korea, EDCF, and the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA).
The signing of agreements with EDCF worth $2 billion to finance new socially significant projects in Uzbekistan was emphasized.
Another striking example of a fruitful partnership with Korean development institutions was the launch of a modern multidisciplinary children’s clinic. An agreement was reached to accelerate new projects for constructing a unique medical cluster with a joint university, an adult hospital, and an oncology clinic.
The parties also agreed to increase cooperation in vocational education, labor migration, ecology, and climate change.
During the talks, the leaders confirmed the coincidence of positions on regional and international issues.
The President of Uzbekistan supported the proposal to hold the first summit in the “Central Asia – Korea” format next year in Seoul and also expressed support for the firm steps of President Yoon Suk Yeol to ensure peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula.
In the cultural and humanitarian dimension, the parties decided to declare 2025 the “Year of Exchanges between Uzbekistan and Korea”, within the framework of which cultural weeks, youth, educational, language and sports forums, art and craft exhibitions, and tourism events will be held on a mutual basis.
In general, the Presidents of Uzbekistan and Korea agreed to launch a new partnership model in modern conditions.
“A new time of high-tech and innovative cooperation begins in our relations. I am confident that the Joint Statement on further deepening and comprehensive expansion of the special strategic partnership and about 20 other documents signed today will contribute to these good aspirations”, the President of Uzbekistan said.
A comprehensive roadmap will be adopted to ensure the complete and timely implementation of all agreements reached.
In addition, to fully support and accelerate joint plans, the President of Uzbekistan proposed introducing a multi-level mechanism for monitoring and facilitating projects.
