Discussion on Korea-Central Asia Cooperation Plans with Ambassadors of 5 Key Central Asian Countries, Core Partners of the New Northern Policy
Request for Support from Director Yoo Myung-hee
[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] On the afternoon of the 28th, Choi Jong-geon, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, held his first meeting since taking office with the ambassadors of the five Central Asian countries in South Korea, exchanging views on Korea-Central Asia cooperation measures to promote the New Northern Policy and cooperation on the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
Vice Minister Choi stated that Central Asian countries are key partners of the New Northern Policy, and especially evaluated that last year's presidential visit to three Central Asian countries and the first-ever prime ministerial visit to two Central Asian countries since the establishment of diplomatic relations created an opportunity to expand Korea-Central Asia cooperation comprehensively. He also noted that Korea and Central Asian countries are actively promoting cooperation in various fields based on not only economic cooperation but also emotional and historical commonalities.
Furthermore, Vice Minister Choi expressed gratitude for the active cooperation of Central Asian countries in supporting the return of Korean nationals and the entry of businesspeople despite the significant restrictions on inter-country exchanges due to the COVID-19 situation. He also emphasized the need to continue close cooperation in essential personnel exchanges and quarantine cooperation to respond to COVID-19.
In response, the attendees expressed their appreciation for the Korean government's various efforts, including humanitarian aid such as quarantine supplies and sharing quarantine experiences, to help Central Asian countries overcome COVID-19, and hoped for continued cooperation.
Vice Minister Choi and the Central Asian ambassadors evaluated that the Korea-Central Asia Cooperation Forum, launched in 2007, has contributed to Korea-Central Asia cooperation in various fields, and agreed to make efforts to hold the 13th Korea-Central Asia Cooperation Forum scheduled for next month in a substantive manner so that it can become another driving force for deepening cooperation between Korea and Central Asia.
Vice Minister Choi emphasized that Yoo Myung-hee, Director-General for Trade Negotiations, who advanced to the final round of the WTO Director-General election, is the right person to pursue the restoration of trust in the multilateral trading system through inter-country solidarity, and requested the support of Central Asian countries for Director-General Yoo. Vice Minister Choi and the attendees agreed on the need to further strengthen communication between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Central Asian ambassadorial corps amid the COVID-19 situation, and pledged to work together to continuously strengthen mutually beneficial cooperation centered on Korea's New Northern Policy.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
