“Multilateral dialogue allows us to effectively confront news challenges, threats”

By Publisher Lee Kyung-sik of The Korea Post media

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev of the Republic of Uzbekistan emphasized that amid the difficult situation in the world and a global crisis, it is such a multilateral dialogue that allows us to effectively confront new challenges and threats, contributing to stability, prosperity and sustainable development of our countries.” Speaking at the 2nd International Forum on Novern Economic Cooperation in Seoul on Oct. 20, 2020, President Mirziyoyev than added, “It should be noted that this forum is held on the initiative of the President of the Republic of Korea Moon Jae-in, and this time was attended by the leaders of Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan and Mongolia.”
In accordance with the agenda, issues of close coordination and joint counteraction to the negative consequences of the global spread of coronavirus infection, as well as further expansion of multilateral cooperation, were discussed in detail.
In his speech, the President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev emphasized that amid the difficult situation in the world and a global crisis, it is such a multilateral dialogue that allows us to effectively confront new challenges and threats, contributing to stability, prosperity and sustainable development of our countries.
In this regard, the President of Uzbekistan focused on the most important aspects of international policy and the prospects for regional cooperation.
In particular, the need for close coordination and broad international cooperation in the fight against COVID-19 was emphasized.
It was proposed to continue joint work in key areas, including the development of effective vaccines and serums, systems for rapid and accurate diagnosis of diseases on the basis of a pharmaceutical cluster, created jointly with Korean companies.
Besides, the importance of organizing cutting-edge laboratories and modernizing sanitary control points at our borders; training of qualified doctors; creating enterprises for the disposal of medical waste, introducing an integrated monitoring system and early forecasting of the epidemiological situation in the region was noted.
The head of the state stressed that Uzbekistan considers the Republic of Korea as one of the key promoters of digital and green technologies to Uzbekistan.
It was stated that Uzbekistan will take an active part in the Seoul Summit of Partnering for Green Growth and the Global Goals 2030, which will be held next year in Seoul.
The special relevance of development of effective regional transport corridors was indicated. First of all, it is about connecting the routes of Trans-Siberian Railway and the Western Europe – Western China corridor with projects of new railways in our region.
In this regard, the leader of Uzbekistan proposed to start working on these unique projects at the expert level.
Special attention was paid to enhancing mutually beneficial cooperation within the framework of Central Asia – Republic of Korea Forum. The objective need for bringing interaction within the framework of this format to a new, higher level and hold a meeting of the Forum with participation of the heads of government was noted.
President Shavkat Mirziyoyev highlighted Uzbekistan’s support for President Moon Jae-in’s active efforts to achieve lasting peace on the Korean Peninsula as an important contribution to regional and global security.  

Conduction of an international expert forum on nuclear disarmament and establishment of nuclear-weapon-free zones was proposed for a broad exchange of experience.        

In conclusion, the Head of the state stressed that Uzbekistan and South Korea are special strategic partners, and history of the relations goes back to millennia. Confidence was expressed that the forum will open up new prospects for development of long-term and multifaceted cooperation between the countries in the interests of peace and prosperity of the entire region.
The forum was also attended by Presidents of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov. A message from President of Mongolia Khaltmaagiin Battulga was read out.

Details of the speech of President  Mirziyoyev follow:
 
Distinguished Mr. Chairman!
Esteemed Heads of Delegations!
Dear Participants of the Forum!
Ladies and Gentlemen!
It is a great pleasure for me to greet the participants of the Second International Forum for Northern Economic Cooperation.
I would like to thank His Excellency the President of the Republic of Korea Mr. Moon Jae-In for the invitation to take part in this important event dedicated to the efforts towards joint overcoming of the impact of coronavirus pandemic and enhancement of our partnership.
Amid the complicated situation in the world and the global crisis, it is this very format of multilateral dialogue that allows us to effectively confront new challenges and threats, contributing to the stability, prosperity and sustainable development of our countries.

Dear Forum Participants!
We in Uzbekistan highly appreciate the New Northern Policy of the President of the Republic of Korea, aimed at ensuring security and enhancing the multifaceted cooperation in the vast Eurasian space.
I would like to briefly dwell on the most significant aspects of regional policies and the prospects for our interaction.
First. The global spread of COVID-19 has shown the need for close coordination and broad international cooperation among the states of the region.
I thank our Korean and other partners for their support in confronting this disease in Uzbekistan.
We propose to continue our joint efforts in the following areas:
- development of effective vaccines and serums, systems for rapid and accurate diagnosis of diseases on the basis of a pharmaceutical cluster being set up in cooperation with Korean companies;
- establishment of cutting-edge laboratories and modernization of sanitary control points at our borders;
- training of epidemiologist and virologist doctors with the participation of leading higher education institutions of the Republic of Korea;
- creation of enterprises for the disposal of medical waste;
- introduction of an integrated system for monitoring and early warning in the epidemiological situation in the region.
Second. We consider the Republic of Korea one of the key promoters of digital and green technologies to our country.
Currently, dozens of major projects in high-tech industries are being realized in Uzbekistan with the participation of leading Korean companies and banks.
We intend to continue to fully support and encourage the activities of Korean investors.
We are also willing to take an active part in the Seoul Summit of Partnering for Green Growth and the Global Goals 2030.
Third. The consistent implementation of the New Northern Policy has highlighted the exigency of developing efficient regional transport corridors.
First of all, it is about combining the routes of the Trans-Siberian Railway and the Western Europe - Western China corridor with projects of new railways in our region.
In these circumstances, the Korean Peninsula can become a critical communication bridge connecting the Pacific region with the countries of Central and South Asia.
We suggest considering these unique opportunities at the expert level.
Fourth. The Central Asia - Republic of Korea Cooperation Forum is instrumental in consolidating our partnership.
New initiatives and projects are being implemented within its framework, and mutually advantageous cooperation in investments, innovation, transport, healthcare, education and culture has been enhancing.
In the meantime, there is an objective need today to bring our interaction to a new, higher level, and hold a meeting of the Forum with the participation of the heads of government.
I am convinced that together we will turn the Central Asia - Republic of Korea Cooperation Forum into an effective mechanism for promoting priority programs and projects.
Fifth. Uzbekistan fully supports President Moon Jae-In’s energetic efforts to achieve lasting peace on the Korean Peninsula and regards them as an important contribution to ensuring regional and global security.
In Central Asia, we have accumulated unique experience in creating a nuclear-weapon-free zone.
The corresponding treaty initiated by Uzbekistan went through a complex process of coordination among the participants, and it received essential guarantees from the major nuclear powers.
Today it is an effective political and legal mechanism in providing for nuclear safety in Central Asia.
For extensive exchange of experience, we propose to hold an international expert forum on nuclear disarmament and nuclear-weapon-free zones.
Dear ladies and gentlemen!
The Republic of Korea is a special, reliable strategic partner for the Republic of Uzbekistan.
The history of diplomatic, trade and cultural relations between our two nations goes back to millennia.
These bonds of friendship are built on the similarity of mentality, traditional values and customs of our peoples.
An important factor in strengthening our robust ties is the considerable Korean diaspora in Uzbekistan.
These citizens of ours make a remarkable contribution to the advancement of the country.
In conclusion, I would like to express my confidence that today’s Forum will open up new prospects for the development of long-term and comprehensive cooperation of our countries in the interests of peace and prosperity of the entire region.
Thank you for attention.