‘Tajikistan-Korea relations built on strong friendship, mutual respect and interests’

By Sean Kim
Staff reporter

Ambassador Sharifzoda Yusuf of the Republic of Tajikistan said, “I would like with great pleasure to emphasize that mutual relations of Tajikistan and Korea which were built based on strong traditions of friendship and mutual respect are being developed in the framework of the interests of both countries and peoples.” (See further details of speech at the end of this article.)

Ambassador Yusuf made the statement at a reception he hosted at the Floating Island Convention Center on the southern bank of the Han River across the Jamsu Bridge in Seoul on April 18, 2017. It was in celebration of 25^th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Korea and Tajikistan and also the Tajik traditional Holiday Navruz-2017.

Many Korean and international dignitaries attended by reception, who included, from the Korean side,

Minister Nematullo Khikmatullozoda of Economic Development and Commerce of Tajikistan, Deputy Minister Lee Wook-heon of Foreign Affairs for Protocol Affairs of Korea, Chairman Jung Jae-min of the Korean Culture Association, Chirman Hong Pyeong-Soon of the Tajikistan Chamber of Commerce in Korea, Chairman Lee Ok Ryun of the Korea-Central Asian Friendship Association, Chairman Jung Myeong-Hyo of the Gyeonggi Textile Industries Association and Professor Hwang Woo-Suk of Sooam Biothech.

From the Seoul Diplomatic Corps came many mission chiefs who included Ambassadors Mohammad Saleem Sayeb of Afghanistan, Ramzi Teymurov of Azerbaijan, Hassan Taherian of Iran, Bader Mohammad Al-Awadi of Kuwait, Askar Beshimove of Kyrgyzstan, Zahid Nasrulah Khan of Pakistan, Alexander Andreevich Tomonin of Russia, Riyad A. H. Almubaraky of Saudi Arabia Hakan Okcal of Turkey and Myrat Mammetalyyev of Turkmenistan.

Excerpts from the speech of Ambassador Yusuf of Tajikistan:

During more than 25 years of bilateral relations, we stayed to the sustainable creation of co-operation between our countries. The important agreements which determine the legal framework for economic and political cooperation relations at various levels have been signed.

One of the most important factors determining the level and content of relations between the two countries are joint cooperation in the framework of the UN and within Korea cooperation Forum with Central Asian countries.

With my great pleasure let me congratulate the Government representatives, the representatives of diplomatic Missions and distinguished guests on the occasion of celebrating the 25th Anniversary establishment of diplomatic relations between the Republic of Tajikistan and the Republic of Korea.

Diplomatic relations between the Republic of Tajikistan and the Republic of Korea were established on April 27, 1992 and development of bilateral cooperation with this country considers one of the main priorities of our foreign policy.

I would like with great pleasure to emphasize that mutual relations of Tajikistan and Korea which were built based on strong traditions of friendship and mutual respect are being developed in the framework of the interests of both countries and peoples.

The mutual relations between Tajikistan and Korea also being developed through KOICA which we are satisfied on the level of such cooperation and express our appreciation for continued support to this Agency.

I would like to express my confidence, that the laid foundations with joint effort may increase the cooperation in concrete projects in the fields of trade, investment, cultural cooperation, exchange of scientists and social initiatives.

We are confident that the next 25 years our sincere bilateral relations between the two friendly countries will extend more and sides will carry out the realization of plans.

Ladies and gentlemen,

With the great pride it should be noted that in such a glorious moments in our paradise country is celebrating the ancestor New year-Navruz-2017. Navruz has close linkages to the land, borders and spirit of our ancestors founders of civilization from the ancient times and its traditions and customs have symbols, which have been an integral part of our human loving, tolerant and creative people from the ancient times to present. In Navruz period, the nature re-blossoms, people get new energy, their soul and thoughts get united, they make kindness, charity and present joy to each other.

Indeed, Navruz is one of the most precious holidays of Tajik people and other peoples in Navruz basin, which has unified peoples with supreme humane ideology like friendship and cooperation, creativeness and well-being promotion, human love and charity, as well as thankfulness to the nature’s beauty and richness.