Korea-Uzbekistan Policy Consultation Held... Strengthening Cooperation in the New Northern Policy

Checking the Preparation Status of the Korea-Central Asia Cooperation Forum

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] On the 5th, Kim Gun, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, held the 14th Korea-Uzbekistan Policy Consultation with Furkat Sidikov, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan, to review cooperation related to the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), practical cooperation issues, and the preparation status of the 13th Korea-Central Asia Cooperation Forum.

Both sides evaluated that Korea and Uzbekistan have steadily developed a friendly cooperative relationship since establishing diplomatic relations in 1992, including holding 16 summit meetings. They also shared the recognition that cooperation with Uzbekistan, a key partner in the New Northern Policy, has deepened further, especially after the bilateral relationship was elevated to a "special strategic partnership" during President Moon Jae-in's visit to Uzbekistan last year.

In particular, despite the COVID-19 situation, they assessed that close cooperation has been maintained through the visit of Deputy Prime Minister Umurzakov to Korea in July to review cooperative projects, as well as through two summit phone calls, video conferences between deputy prime ministers, and phone calls between foreign ministers, all conducted non-face-to-face.

Both sides evaluated that through close cooperation such as operating temporary flights to support the return of their nationals, dispatching Korean medical experts to Uzbekistan, and providing humanitarian aid during the COVID-19 crisis, the special friendship and trust between the two countries were confirmed. In response, Deputy Minister Sidikov praised Korea's COVID-19 response as a global model and acknowledged that Korea's support greatly helped Uzbekistan's COVID-19 response.

Furthermore, both sides agreed to continue cooperation to ensure that ongoing practical cooperation projects lead to successful and mutually beneficial projects like the Surgil Gas Chemical Complex. Deputy Minister Kim expressed hope that Korean companies would continue to participate in large-scale energy and infrastructure projects promoted by the Uzbek government, such as the Mubarek Power Plant modernization project and the Bukhara Refinery modernization project. Deputy Minister Sidikov evaluated that economic cooperation between the two countries is being promoted in a mutually beneficial direction across various fields and expressed willingness to cooperate in supporting Korean companies' entry into Uzbekistan.

Meanwhile, both sides agreed that the Korea-Central Asia Cooperation Forum, launched in 2007, has established an exemplary multilateral cooperation framework that has promoted practical cooperation between Korea and Central Asia in various fields.

Deputy Minister Kim expressed gratitude for Uzbekistan's active participation in the 12 Korea-Central Asia Cooperation Forums held so far, and Deputy Minister Sidikov evaluated that the forum has greatly contributed to discovering and implementing mutually beneficial cooperative projects between Korea and Central Asia.

This meeting was the third deputy minister-level meeting held by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs with Central Asian countries to review the preparation status of the 13th Korea-Central Asia Cooperation Forum scheduled for the 25th and to check bilateral issues. Both sides plan to prepare the 13th forum more systematically through upcoming Korea-Tajikistan deputy minister-level meetings and deputy minister-level meetings among the five Central Asian countries and Korea.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.