Korean, Uzbek leaders agree to build infrastructure, modernize industry

The following details on the summit meeting between President Park Geun-hye and President Islam Karimov of Uzbekistan on May 28, 2015 were disclosed by the Korea Culture & Information Service of the Ministry of Culture, Sports & Tourism today (May 29, 2015).--Ed

President Park Geun-hye and Uzbek President Islam Karimov, in Korea for a state visit, held a bilateral summit meeting at Cheong WaDae on May 28. The two leaders welcomed the fact that the two nations' cooperation has expanded from energy and building infrastructure to include transportation, logistics and ICT. In addition, they appreciated that their strategic partnership has become more solid with the signing of memoranda of understanding (MOUs) that cover diplomacy, social security and public order.
President Park welcomed the fact that trade and investment between Korea and its biggest trading partner in the Central Asia, Uzbekistan, have been growing. The president then said that they will strive to have another successful example in the textile industry technology park to be built in Uzbekistan this year.
In response, President Karimov said there are nearly 900 projects worth USD 55 billion ongoing in his country as part of the five-year plan established earlier this year by the Uzbek government to build infrastructure and to modernize industry. The president hoped that Korean companies would be able to take part in these projects. In relation to that, the two leaders agreed to further discuss Korean companies' participation in constructing a new airport and building power plants in Turakurgan and Takhiatash, as well as a solar power plant in Samarkand.

In addition, the two leaders said that the Uzbek government has been successfully building online government services and that the two countries agreed to simplify medicine approval procedures, recognize license for medical professionals and expand cooperation on the defense industry. Acknowledging the need to expand exchanges between people, the two countries concurred to increase exchanges between the next generation of leaders and public servants, and expand cooperation between universities in the two nations to educate human resources in the high-tech industry.

As part of the bilateral summit, the two nations signed an MOU to implement the Methanol to Olefins project worth USD 4.5 billion. They also signed MOUs and agreements in relation to social security issues, recognizing drivers' licenses of the other nation, cooperation between foreign ministries and "root industries," which includes basic technologies for manufacturing, such as molding, welding and casting.

President Park asked for the Uzbek government's continued support for and cooperation on sending a message about the Korean government's efforts being made toward inter-Korea talks, working toward non-proliferation and restraining North Korea from making additional provocations. The president also explained the Korean government's Northeast Asia Peace and Cooperation Initiative, an effort to establish trust across the region. President Karimov expressed his firm support for the Korean government's policies and efforts.

저작권자 © The Korea Post 무단전재 및 재배포 금지