President of the Republic of Korea Park Geun-hye arrived in our country on June 16 with her first state visit on the invitation of President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov.

The official welcoming ceremony of the South Korean leader was held at Koksaroy residence. The guard of honor lined up to welcome the high-ranking guest. Islam Karimov and Park Geun-hye rose to the podium and paid tribute to state anthems of Uzbekistan and South Korea. Then the heads of our two nations walked past the guard of honor in a mark of respect, the press service of the President of Uzbekistan said.

During face-to-face negotiations Islam Karimov and Park Geun-hye exchanged opinion on bilateral cooperation and actual regional and international issues.

Islam Karimov said that Uzbekistan considers state visit of President Park Geun-hye to Uzbekistan as important political and milestone event in history of the Uzbek-South Korean relations, firm intention of the sides to continue and expand traditionally fruitful dialogue at high level, give new stimulus to friendly and strategic cooperation. Uzbek leader said that today Uzbekistan considers South Korea as highly developed country, which huge economic, innovative and intellectual potential.

Park Geun-hye said Uzbekistan was the center of Great Silk Road and today it attracts many countries due to its dynamic economic growth and favourable investment climate. She said that Uzbekistan is the largest partner of South Korea in Center Asia. She said that she visits Uzbekistan for the first time, but she feels like among old friends due to friendly atmosphere, openness and frankness of the people.

Political relations between Uzbekistan and South Korea traditionally develop on the bases of strategic partnership, principle of mutual trust and respect, support each other at international arena. The countries have common view and approaches on actual global and regional issues. The counties are closely cooperating with the UN and other international organizations, as well as financial institutions.

Regular high-level meetings help to develop strategic partnership. During the state visit of President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov to South Korea in September 2012, the sides signed 60 investment projects for over US$5 billion.

The countries gradually develop inter-parliamentary relations and are expanding visits of the governmental delegations. The Ministries of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan and South Korea hold regular political consultations. The tenth round of consultations were held in Seoul in April 2014.

During the negotiations, the sides reached agreement on continuing political dialogue, monitor execution of achieved agreements, expand cooperation in information technologies, solar energy, agriculture and education. The sides will support each other within international organizations and regional structures, such as Forum of Cooperation “The Republic of Korea – Central Asia”. Uzbekistan and South Korea will continue cooperation to strengthen security and stability, fight against terrorism, organized crime and illegal drug turnover.

Presidents of Uzbekistan and South Korea continued heir negotiations with participation of the delegations. The sides discussed issues of strengthening cooperation in trade-economic, investment, cultural-humanitarian spheres. Uzbekistan and South Korea established the most favourable trade regime in 1992. Bilateral trade turnover reached US2.1 billion. In January-April 2014, the figure reached US$669.3 million.

The countries hold regular inter-governmental committee on trade-economic cooperation. Last session was held in Tashkent last month. Ministries of Finance, Inter-governmental committee on energy and natural resources also held regular meetings. The Council on information has been working since 2012.

Within the Cooperation Forum “The Republic of Korea – Central Asia”, the member states discus issues of regional cooperation in trade-economic, investment, transport, cultural-humanitarian spheres.

The volume of investments of South Korea into economy of Uzbekistan exceeds US$5 billion. Currently, there are 412 enterprises with South Korean investments. There are 81 companies accredited in Uzbekistan.

Uzbekistan and South Korea accrued great experience in economic cooperation. Ustyurt Gas Chemical Complex, constructed on the bases of Surgil field, was recognized as mega project at international level. The complex is constructed in cooperation with Korea Gas Corporation, Lottee Group, STX Energy and will process 4.5 billion cubic meters of gas a year and produce 3.7 billion cubic meters of tank gas, 387,000 tonnes of polyethylene and 83,000 tonnes of polypropylene, as well as 102,000 tonnes of pyrolized petroleum and other products. South Korean companies participate in exploration of hydrocarbons and their development in various regions of Uzbekistan.

Shingdon Resources develops tungsten field in mining industry, while Neo-Plant launched a plant on production of silicon.

Uzbekistan and South Korea are cooperating in automobile industry. Automobile plants operate in Andijan and Khorezm regions, as well as in Tashkent city. Over 20 South Korean companies engaged in the automobile industry and there are 18 joint ventures.

Textile industry is another priority area of cooperation. Over 10 projects for US$212 million were implemented in the sector. In cooperation with Daewoo International textile enterprises were launched in Ferghana and Bukhara regions. Shingdon Enercom and Textile Technologies – in Surkhandarya region. The sides are working on creation of Innovative Center of Textile Technologies under Tashkent Institute of Textile and Light Industry.

The system of electronic government is being introduced in our country together with the Republic of Korea. The Tashkent University of Information Technologies houses the Center of Information Technologies and the Center for Information Access. In March this year, in accordance with the decree of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, efforts were kicked off in Tashkent to open a branch of one of South Korea’s leading higher education institutions – Inha University.

Korean Air has been enthusiastic in its engagement in the development of the Navoi intermodal logistics center. Its current processing capacity is 1,000 tons of freight a day and a night. The cargo terminal is capable of processing and storing 300 tons of freight and serving 20 aircraft. Today, 29 flights a week are carried out from this air hub to such destinations as Seoul, Milan, Brussels, Vienna, Paris, Delhi, Mumbai, Istanbul, Hanoi.

Thanks to interaction with the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) and the Economic Development Cooperation Fund, financial-technical ties have been advancing. Principal dimensions of partnership with KOICA are the supply of equipment free of charge, training and retraining specialists, engaging South Korean specialists in Uzbekistan. 21 projects have been implemented for the total amount of more than US$54.5 million in such spheres as healthcare, education, information technologies, public services, agriculture and water management, energy industry. Another four schemes are underway. Jointly with the Economic Development Cooperation Fund, four investment projects have been realized totaling US$114.1 million.

During the negotiations, a decision was reached to work out and implement new joint projects with the purpose of uplifting the volumes and reinforcing the diversification of goods in the mutual trade, holding regular business forums with the participation of leading companies and enterprises from the two countries, along with developing high-technological production facilities.

Currently, the Uzbek-South Korean relations evolving at the interstate and intergovernmental levels are characterized similarly with comprehensiveness, systemic nature and mutual benefit from the cooperation of economic and commercial entities, firms and companies, including in the humanitarian area, which serves the interests of our two peoples.

The Korean Center for Education has been functioning in Tashkent since 1992. Centers of Korean language and culture are opened in a number of higher education institutions. Korean is taught at 13 higher education institutions and 28 schools and lyceums in Uzbekistan. In general, universities of our country cooperate with more than thirty higher education institutions and scientific research organizations of South Korea.

In March 2012, during the Navruz holiday celebrations and in connection with the 20th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between our two nations, a gala concert took place in Seoul with the participation of Uzbek variety performers. In 2013, a contest of Korean songs was organized in our country by the national television and radio company KBS, the finalist of which – Alladin band – later won Grand Prix of the Kоrean PОР World Festival-2013 held in South Korea with the participation of representatives from 15 countries.

The most crucial events of the year 2014 in the cultural life of our two countries has been the international festival Asian Meetings 2014 of the Association of Children’s and Youth Theaters, where the Youth Theater of Uzbekistan took part with its performance “Mischievous Child”, and the opening of Seoul Garden in Tashkent. This picturesque place in one of the shady corners of Uzbekistan’s capital city, which is dear for both the Uzbek and Korean peoples, has become a symbolic embodiment of the culture of the ancient Korea.

The two sides, specially stressing these achievements, have decided to further reinforce bonds in the field of culture, music, arts and sports, to hold joint cultural festivals, exhibitions, and expand direct contacts among education institutions. They contemplated on opening of a center of Korean culture and arts in Uzbekistan.

Following the negotiations, Presidents Islam Karimov and Park Geun-hye signed a joint declaration between the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Republic of Korea on the further development and enhancement of strategic partnership. Also penned were a framework agreement between the government of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the government of the Republic of Korea in relation to loans of the Economic Development Cooperation Fund for 2014-2017, a memorandum on understanding in bilateral investment cooperation, a loan agreement between the National Bank of the Republic of Uzbekistan for Foreign Economic Activity and the Export-Import Bank of the Republic of Korea.

During a meting with representatives of mass media, Islam Karimov and Park Geun-hye noted that the talks proved fruitful, in the spirit of mutual confidence and respect, while the agreements reached will serve for the further advancement and consistent elevation of effectiveness in the Uzbek-South Korean relations as well as the growth in the wellbeing of our two peoples.

Later in the day, President of the Republic of Korea Park Geun-hye, accompanied by the Prime Minister of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev, visited the Mustaqillik Square.

Thanks to the colossal creative and construction works undertaken here on the initiative of the head of our state, the principal square of Uzbekistan has not only attained a modern appearance, with which we are proud of by right, but also its significance in the life of our country has increased.

President of the Republic of Korea, paying tribute to our nation, laid a wreath to the Monument of Independence and Humanism, which is a symbol of our freedom, bright future and graceful aspirations.

The high-ranking guest stressed that the magnificent buildings, shady alleys, splendid fountains of this square make up an integrated ensemble. She pointed out in particular that the harmonious combination of architectural facilities with striking views of the nature has left a lasting impression on her.

The state visit of President of the Republic of Korea Park Geun-hye to the Republic of Uzbekistan continued the next day. She will visit Samarkand.