[Full Text] Korea-Kyrgyzstan Joint Statement on 'Comprehensive Partnership'

by Seo Sojeong

Published 03 Dec.2024 14:07(KST)

Strengthening Cooperation in Trade, Energy, Climate Change Response, and ICT

Minister Andeok Geun of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and Minister Daniyar Amangeldiyev of the Ministry of Economy and Commerce of the Kyrgyz Republic are taking a commemorative photo at the signing ceremony of the Korea-Kyrgyz Trade and Investment Promotion Framework (TIPF) Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) held on the 3rd at the Yongsan Presidential Office building in Seoul, attended by President Yoon Seok-yeol and President Sadyr Japarov of the Kyrgyz Republic. Photo by Yonhap News

On the 3rd, President Yoon Suk-yeol held a summit with Sadyr Japarov, President of the Kyrgyz Republic, who was making an official visit to Korea, and established a "Comprehensive Partnership" between the two countries after 32 years of diplomatic relations.

President Yoon and President Japarov adopted the "Joint Statement on the Establishment of a Comprehensive Partnership" at the Yongsan Presidential Office on the same day, and the Presidential Office announced that they agreed to strengthen mutually beneficial cooperation in various fields including trade and investment, energy, development cooperation, climate change response, information and communication technology (ICT), education, and personnel administration.

The following is the full text of the joint statement.

1. The two leaders confirmed their readiness to continue political dialogue based on a mutually beneficial partnership and to strengthen mechanisms for mutual visits and high-level talks between the two countries. They agreed to continue exchanging views on key bilateral cooperation issues to fully utilize the existing potential for the development and deepening of bilateral relations. In this regard, both sides welcomed the renewal of the "Cooperation Program between Ministries of Foreign Affairs (2025?2026)" and agreed to conduct policy consultations on issues related to the development of bilateral relations as well as regional and global mutual interests.

2. Both sides expressed their intention to strengthen inter-parliamentary relations, which greatly contribute to enhancing bilateral relations, and to continue developing regular communication and exchanges between parliamentary friendship associations.

3. Both sides agreed to continue joint efforts to further activate trade and economic cooperation and to promote the long-term sustainability of such cooperation. To this end, the two leaders emphasized the importance of the Korea-Kyrgyzstan Economic Joint Committee as a platform to effectively develop and enhance bilateral cooperation. They stressed the need to improve the investment environment, diversify cooperation sectors, and strengthen measures to achieve concrete results. The Kyrgyz side proposed investment projects to the Korean side aimed at attracting Korean investment in energy, tourism, transportation, agriculture, water resources, and industrial sectors. The two leaders welcomed the signing of the "Protocol on the Amendment of the Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Korea and the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic" and the "Trade and Investment Promotion Framework (TIPF) MOU," which will promote the development of trade, economic, and investment cooperation.

4. The two leaders welcomed the launch of a joint venture between "BC Card" and "Smartro" (both subsidiaries of KT) and Kyrgyzstan's "CJSC Interbank Processing Center," which will facilitate Kyrgyzstan's transition from the "shadow" economy.

5. Both sides recognized the need for cooperation in resource-related fields such as energy efficiency, energy conservation, renewable energy, and critical mineral supply chains, and welcomed the signing of the "Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Cooperation in the Energy Sector and Critical Minerals." Furthermore, the two leaders noted the importance of strengthening cooperation based on the "Renewable Energy Cooperation MOU" signed in October 2023 between the Ministry of Environment of the Republic of Korea and the Ministry of Energy of the Kyrgyz Republic, as well as the "Environmental Protection MOU" signed between the Ministry of Environment of the Republic of Korea and the Ministry of Natural Resources, Ecology, and Technical Supervision of the Kyrgyz Republic.

6. The two leaders welcomed the successful implementation of various development cooperation projects aimed at achieving the Kyrgyz Republic's strategic development plans in public administration, agriculture, health and sanitation, and environment. Both sides evaluated the launch and implementation of KOICA's projects such as the "National Informatization Capacity Building Project for Digital Transformation," the "Public Institution Electric Vehicle Transition Project," and the "Agricultural Value Chain Enhancement Project." They agreed to seek opportunities to expand development cooperation in various fields including digitalization, regional development, education, and energy.

7. The two leaders welcomed the signing of the "EDCF Basic Agreement," which will provide additional momentum for development cooperation projects in various fields through the Economic Development Cooperation Fund (EDCF). Both sides evaluated the commencement of the "National Infectious Disease Hospital Improvement Project" and agreed to continue efforts to promptly approve and initiate key projects such as the "National Hospital Improvement Project" and the "Road Construction Equipment Supply Project."

8. The two leaders welcomed the establishment of direct flight routes between the two countries in 2023 and the increase of direct flights in 2024. Accordingly, they noted the importance of joint efforts to increase passenger transportation between the Republic of Korea and the Kyrgyz Republic, aiming to expand cooperation in trade, economy, investment, culture, and human exchanges.

9. Both sides agreed to strengthen cooperation in the agricultural sector, including the establishment of "smart farms" and research and development to improve agricultural product quality. The two leaders supported the establishment of programs for exchanging experiences and advanced technologies in agriculture between the Republic of Korea and the Kyrgyz Republic to improve agricultural production processes, productivity, and quality. They called for enhanced cooperation in joint agricultural research projects such as developing new climate-resilient varieties and introducing innovative soil management methods. The Kyrgyz side supported the introduction of modern agricultural technologies and farm management methods in the Kyrgyz Republic through advice and training provided by experts from the Rural Development Administration's overseas agricultural technology development project (KOPIA). Additionally, the Kyrgyz side expressed interest in hosting exhibitions, fairs, and other events to promote Kyrgyz agricultural products in the Korean market with support from KOPIA and the "Korea-Asia Food and Agriculture Technology Cooperation Initiative (AFACI)" experts.

10. The Korean side expressed gratitude to the people of the Kyrgyz Republic for warmly welcoming the ethnic Korean community who arrived in the 1930s. Both sides emphasized that the large ethnic Korean community, which has contributed to the social and economic development of the Kyrgyz Republic, serves as a constructive bridge for cooperation between the two countries and contributes to strengthening cultural intimacy and friendship between the two peoples, rooted in shared democratic values.

11. The two leaders discussed the importance of cultural exchanges between the two countries and expressed their intention to deepen cooperation in this field. In this context, both sides recognized the importance of cultural projects, exhibitions, festivals, and art projects that promote mutual understanding between the peoples of the two countries.

12. Both sides agreed to actively cooperate in disaster prevention and recovery to effectively respond to natural and social disasters.

13. The two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to cooperate in responding to challenges faced by modern medicine such as pandemics, sharing knowledge and experience, and exchanging medical equipment and technologies, aiming to ensure high-quality healthcare services for their peoples.

14. The two leaders welcomed the signing of the "Education Cooperation Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)" between the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Korea and the Ministry of Education and Science of the Kyrgyz Republic. They expressed confidence that education plays a key role in social development and agreed to deepen cooperation in education, including student and teacher exchanges and sharing experiences in operating educational programs. They also discussed opportunities to discover joint research programs.

15. The two leaders welcomed the signing of the "Basic Agreement on Climate Change Cooperation" between the Republic of Korea and the Kyrgyz Republic. They recognized the urgency of environmental conservation and reaffirmed their joint responsibility for environmental protection. They also confirmed their readiness to promote environmental protection through joint efforts, sharing experiences and technologies related to sustainable development, and supporting initiatives to respond to climate change. In this context, the Kyrgyz side noted that international organizations based in the Republic of Korea, such as the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) and the Green Climate Fund (GCF), contribute to global transitions toward low-carbon green growth and clean energy. Both sides agreed to deepen cooperation and implement various projects in this field.

16. The Korean side highly appreciated the Kyrgyz Republic's initiative to address climate issues in mountainous regions within the framework of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), and both sides expressed their intention to actively participate in events related to the mountainous region agenda at the UNFCCC Conference of the Parties (COP).

17. The two leaders emphasized the importance of interregional cooperation between the two countries, which contributes not only to economic growth and social development but also to strengthening friendly relations and cultural exchanges between their peoples. They also recognized the significance of local cooperation in promoting domestic development, supporting innovation, and creating a friendly environment for all residents of both countries.

18. The two leaders stressed the importance of further strengthening cooperation based on the existing memorandum of understanding signed between the Ministry of Employment and Labor of the Republic of Korea and the Ministry of Labor, Social Security, and Migration of the Kyrgyz Republic. They noted that this basic memorandum has contributed to the systematic labor migration from the Kyrgyz Republic to the Republic of Korea under employment contracts, benefiting mutual interests and the development of economic relations. The Kyrgyz side expressed deep gratitude and emphasized its interest in expanding employment of its nationals within the framework of the Employment Permit System (EPS) introduced in 2007.

19. The two leaders noted the importance of strengthening cooperation based on the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on cooperation between the Korean National Police Agency and the Kyrgyz Ministry of Internal Affairs signed on October 19, 2023.

20. The two leaders emphasized the importance of deepening cooperation between the two countries on the international stage, including cooperation within the United Nations and other regional and international organizations, noting that their positions on various international issues are consistent or similar. They also stressed the need for cooperation to achieve concrete results regarding the reform of the United Nations Security Council.

21. Both sides noted the important and responsible role of the United Nations Security Council in maintaining peace and security and emphasized the need to strengthen trust and cooperation among Security Council members to respond timely, appropriately, and effectively to emerging international conflicts.

22. The two leaders evaluated the successful hosting of the 17th Korea-Central Asia Cooperation Forum in Seoul in November 2024. They emphasized that since its launch in 2007, the forum has become an effective multilateral consultative body contributing to strengthening and expanding relations between the Republic of Korea and Central Asian countries. Both sides agreed to work together to promote bilateral and multilateral projects between Korea and Central Asian countries to strengthen and develop the forum. The Kyrgyz side expressed support for Korea's first Central Asia strategy, the "Korea-Central Asia K Silk Road Cooperation Initiative." Both sides agreed to closely cooperate in preparing for the Korea-Central Asia Summit to be held in 2025 within the framework of this initiative.

23. The two leaders expressed satisfaction that the 1st Korea-Central Asia Speakers' Meeting was successfully held in Seoul in September 2023, providing an opportunity to comprehensively explore new areas of cooperation. They emphasized the need to institutionalize this meeting by continuing its format and holding it regularly.

24. The two leaders noted the importance of implementing the "Sustainable Mountain Development" resolution adopted at the 77th United Nations General Assembly, which declared 2023?2027 as the "Five-Year Action Period for Mountain Development" to strengthen international cooperation and effective implementation of the mountainous region agenda. The Korean side evaluated Kyrgyzstan's plan to host the 2nd Global Mountain Summit ("Bishkek+25") in 2027.

25. Both sides agreed that the complete denuclearization of North Korea will contribute to peace and stability not only on the Korean Peninsula but also globally. They urged North Korea to comply with its obligations under the United Nations Charter and relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions. The Kyrgyz side reaffirmed its continued support for the Republic of Korea's efforts to establish peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula. In this context, the Kyrgyz side supported the Republic of Korea's "Bold Initiative" and the "8.15 Unification Doctrine" for a free, peaceful, and prosperous unified Korean Peninsula. Both sides emphasized the importance of dialogue, exchanges, and cooperation between the Republic of Korea and North Korea.

26. The two leaders noted the importance of strengthening efforts to prevent terrorism and extremism, respond to international organized crime, combat cybercrime, expand border control and cross-border cooperation, and eradicate illegal drug trafficking.

27. Both sides strongly condemned all forms and manifestations of terrorism worldwide and noted that terrorism should not be associated with any particular country, culture, or religion.

28. Sadyr Japarov, President of the Kyrgyz Republic, expressed gratitude to President Yoon Suk-yeol and the Korean people for the warm welcome and hospitality extended to the Kyrgyz delegation and invited President Yoon to make an official return visit to the Kyrgyz Republic at a convenient time. President Yoon expressed appreciation for the official visit invitation from the Kyrgyz Republic, and the visit date will be agreed upon through diplomatic channels.