Press-Release

On February 10 to 12 this year on the invitation of the President of the Republic of Korea Lee Myung-bak the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov pays a State visit to the Republic of Korea.

This visit serves as a reciprocal visit to the State visit on the part of the President of the Republic of Korea Lee Myung-bak to the Republic of Uzbekistan, which took place in May 2009.

Thus, on February 11 in the atmosphere of friendship the President Lee Myung-bak and President Islam Karimov held their summit in Seoul. The presidents exchanged views on the issues of development and consolidation of bilateral, regional and international cooperation of mutual interest.

The heads of two states said they were pleased of consistent development of the bilateral relations in political, economic and cultural-humanitarian spheres, and have once again confirmed their will to cooperate with a view of filling the bilateral strategic partnership with real substance.

The sides praised expansion of the mutually beneficial cooperation in the oil and gas, petrochemical, construction, information and technological, agrarian, environmental, and textile sectors, and have agreed to reinforce the support of businesses.

The presidents also praised expanding cooperation of South Korea and Uzbekistan in the energy and raw sector testified by the agreement on undertaking geological exploration works at the additional Western-Ferghana and Chinabad blocs, signed in honor of marking the visit paid by the President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov to the Republic of Korea, and serves as a continuation of the cooperation launched earlier at the Namangan-Chust bloc.

President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov and President of the Republic of Korea Lee Myung-bak welcomed the project of construction of the gas and chemical complex on the basis of Surgil Deposit, which thanks to signing of the “Basic investment agreement” saw its key phase of implementation, and have agreed to further extend cooperation in the sphere of “green development”, and in particular, on the project of a liquefied natural gas (LNG).

The presidents believed that the project of developing the Navoi Free Industrial and Economic Zone is a perspective direction of the bilateral cooperation, and have agreed to continue to engage in comprehensive cooperation with a goal of successful implementation of this project.

The heads of the two states were unanimous in the idea that the combination of potentials of the Navoi international logistics center, now managed by Korean Air, and the Navoi Free Industrial and Economic Zone should create the most favorable conditions for quick deliveries of products to international markets through the multi-modal logistical network of air, rail and road transportations, as well as will generate a value added cost.

President Lee Myung-bak noted the efforts of the Government of the Republic of Korea on increasing support in the sphere of medicine and healthcare, education, new renewable sources of energy, industry and infrastructure as a part of the Official development assistance (ODA).

Also, the South Korean president told that Uzbekistan has been chosen as a key state, which would receive support as a part of the Knowledge sharing program (KSP) in 2010 and dwelled on the plans of active sharing of the Korean development experience in managing macro-economy, promoting innovations, export and investments.

President Islam Karimov praised the successful model of economic development of the Republic of Korea and thanked its Government for the assistance in social and economic development of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

The heads of the two states agreed that they would promote further consolidation of exchange and cooperation in the sphere of culture, sport and tourism.

The presidents welcomed signing of protocol of intentions on creating the Seoul Park in the city of Tashkent and were unanimous in the idea the project of establishing the Park would promote deepening of understanding and reinforcing friendship between the two nations.

President Lee Myung-bak has thanked the Government of Uzbekistan for supporting the candidature of the city of Pyeongchang to host the 2018 Winter Olympics. President Islam Karimov hoped that the Republic of Korea, which enjoys the rich experience in hosting various international sport events, may hold the 2018 Winter Olympics with success.

The leaders shared their understanding of that full and verifiable denuclearization of North Korea was an important condition of preserving peace and stability in the Northeast Asia.

President Islam Karimov supported the stance of the Government of the Republic of Korea in its strife to settle the North Korean nuclear problem by way of soonest resumption of the six-party talks.

The heads of two states, as they wished the soonest stabilization of situation in Afghanistan, have agreed to effectively cooperate in international projects directed to recovering the economy and public order in Afghanistan.

The sides agreed to continue the close cooperation in the United Nations and other international structures. President Islam Karimov has highly assessed the contribution being made by the Government of the Republic of Korea to overcoming the global financial crisis, including hosting the G20 Summit in Seoul.

President Islam Karimov has thanked the Government of the Republic of Korea and the Korean people for a warm welcome during his visit to the Republic of Korea.

The heads of two states believed that the current visit by President Islam Karimov to the Republic of Korea, which served as a logical continuation of the visit of President Lee Myung-bak to the Republic of Uzbekistan in 2009, would consolidate the friendship and trust, and would promote strengthening of the bilateral practical cooperation. The presidents have also agreed to honestly execute the agreements achieved during this Summit.

President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov invited the President of the Republic of Korea Lee Myung-bak to pay a reciprocal visit to Uzbekistan at a time of his convenience. The invitation has been received with gratitude. The date of visit shall be coordinated through diplomatic channels.

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