Prime Minister Jeong Meets with Foreign Ministers of Three Central Asian Countries... Discusses Economic Cooperation and Quarantine Collaboration

Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun (Photo by Yonhap News)

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwangho Lee] Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun met with the foreign ministers of Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Kazakhstan, who visited Korea to attend the '13th Korea-Central Asia Cooperation Forum' on the 26th, the Prime Minister's Office announced.

This meeting was arranged to expand cooperation with Central Asian countries, which are key hubs of connectivity in the New Northern Policy, in celebration of this year as the 'Year of New Northern Cooperation.'

Prime Minister Chung said, "There is great potential for cooperation between Central Asia, which possesses a privileged location and abundant resources, and Korea," adding, "We also expect to strengthen comprehensive cooperation in the fields of economy, culture, health, and human exchanges (including overseas Koreans)."

He continued, "Let us ensure that the cooperation matters discussed through the 13th Korea-Central Asia Cooperation Forum, following last year's visit of our head of state to Central Asia, are implemented without any setbacks."

In response, the foreign ministers of the three Central Asian countries expressed firm support for the Korean government's active promotion of the New Northern Policy through the 'Korea-Central Asia Cooperation Forum' and proposed areas where they hope to strengthen practical cooperation with Korea, including ▲trade and investment ▲resource development ▲energy ▲human exchanges.

They also conveyed their gratitude, stating that Korea's K-quarantine know-how sharing and humanitarian support amid the recent COVID-19 situation have been of great help to their citizens.

Both sides evaluated that despite the unprecedented COVID-19 situation, relations between Korea and Central Asia have become closer through support for the return of citizens and quarantine cooperation, and agreed to continue various cooperation efforts such as vaccine and treatment development going forward.

A Prime Minister's Office official said, "While making the utmost efforts to strengthen quarantine measures for the safety of our citizens amid the severe COVID-19 situation, we will also continue to promote international quarantine and health cooperation through the Prime Minister's diplomatic activities and support efforts to open new external economic channels."