Yoon: "Turk President Expresses Full Support for Korea-Central Asia Summit"

Joint Press Release After Summit
"Close Cooperation on K-Silk Road Initiative"
Deepening and Advancing a Mutually Beneficial Partnership

[Image source=Yonhap News]

President Yoon Suk-yeol announced on the 10th (local time) that Serdar Berdimuhamedow, President of Turkmenistan, expressed full support for the Korea-Central Asia 'K-Silk Road' cooperation initiative and the Korea-Central Asia summit to be held next year.

President Yoon made this statement during a joint press conference held after a summit meeting with President Berdimuhamedow of Turkmenistan, saying, "The two countries have agreed to closely cooperate while jointly overseeing the implementation process of this initiative going forward."

President Yoon emphasized, "Since establishing diplomatic relations in 1992, South Korea and Turkmenistan have achieved remarkable development in their relationship, mainly through cooperation in energy and plant projects," adding, "We have decided to further solidify existing cooperation and expand the horizon of collaboration in a future-oriented manner to deepen and advance our 'mutually beneficial partnership'."

First, the two countries plan to continue strengthening their cooperation in energy plant projects, which has led their collaboration so far. In particular, based on the recently signed 'Basic Agreement on the 4th Desulfurization Facility of the Galkynysh Gas Field' and the 'Phase 2 Cooperation Agreement for the Normalization of the Kiyanly Polymer Plant,' they agreed to promote energy plant cooperation.

Welcoming the signing of the 'Trade and Investment Promotion Framework' achieved during this visit, both sides will strive to increase trade and investment between the two countries and agreed to promptly proceed with the conclusion of the 'Investment Protection Agreement' and the 'Mutual Customs Assistance Agreement.'

Additionally, based on the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on infrastructure and new city cooperation, the two countries will enhance cooperation and seek further collaboration in shipbuilding and transportation infrastructure expansion.

Both sides exchanged views on the North Korean nuclear issue and the recent situation on the Korean Peninsula, agreeing that the peaceful resolution of the North Korean nuclear issue and North Korea's complete denuclearization will contribute not only to peace on the Korean Peninsula but also to global peace and prosperity.

President Yoon stated, "President Berdimuhamedow expressed support for our government's 'Bold Initiative for a Denuclearized, Peaceful, and Prosperous Korean Peninsula,'" adding, "Based on the outcomes discussed today, I will continue close communication with President Berdimuhamedow to further strengthen the mutually beneficial partnership between our two countries."

President Berdimuhamedow said, "As part of the Korea-Central Asia K-Silk Road cooperation initiative, I support the expansion of relations between Central Asian countries and the Republic of Korea," adding, "I look forward to close cooperation between our governments to realize this."

He continued, "Turkmenistan and the Republic of Korea see enormous potential for joint cooperation in creating a transcontinental transport route connecting Asia to Europe," and "We confirmed mutual interest in expanding cooperation in the energy sector."

Furthermore, he added, "Turkmenistan and the Republic of Korea will cooperate in the fields of environment, food, energy, transportation, and digital technology," expressing, "I am very satisfied with the results of the summit."

Present at the joint press conference were Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul, Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Ahn Duk-geun, Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Park Sang-woo, National Security Office Director Jang Ho-jin, Ambassador to Turkmenistan Ji Gyu-taek, First Deputy Director of the National Security Office Kim Tae-hyo, Chief of Public Relations Lee Do-woon, and Senior Secretary for Economic Affairs Park Chun-seop.

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