President Moon Launches This Year's Summit... Requests Cooperation for Korean Companies' Participation in Uzbekistan Infrastructure Projects
[Asia Economy Reporter Ryu Jeong-min] President Moon Jae-in declared the commencement of negotiations for the first goods trade agreement with a New Northern Policy target country during a summit with Shavkat Mirziyoyev, President of Uzbekistan.
The Blue House announced on the 28th, "President Moon held a video summit with the President of Uzbekistan from 3 p.m., exchanging broad opinions on ways to develop bilateral relations and mutual interests."
In particular, the two leaders declared the start of negotiations for the Korea-Uzbekistan Trade Agreement (STEP) during this summit. This is the first goods trade agreement pursued with a New Northern Policy target country.
The Blue House explained, "The New Northern Cooperation target countries include Russia, Moldova, Belarus, Ukraine, the three Caucasus countries (Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan), the five Central Asian countries (Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan), Mongolia, and China (Northeast China’s three provinces)."
Through this summit, the two countries also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for expanding cooperation in the digital-green sectors. Based on the MOU, the two countries plan to expand industrial cooperation in digital healthcare, smart meters, smart factories, and eco-friendly agricultural machinery.
President Moon requested interest and support to enable Korean companies to participate in Uzbekistan’s projects such as the modernization of the Bukhara oil refinery, Mubarek power plant modernization, Syrdarya gas combined cycle power plant, Sherabad solar power plant, and Skelling Solar 2 solar power plant projects.
As a result of this summit, the following agreements were signed: ▲ Korea-Uzbekistan 2021-2023 EDCF Basic Agreement ▲ Digital Industry Cooperation MOU to activate the 4th Industrial Revolution ▲ Key contract terms for Mubarek power plant modernization project ▲ Loan agreement for the construction of Tashkent General Hospital ▲ Loan agreement for the construction of the Chemical R&D Center.
Regarding the 2021-2023 EDCF Basic Agreement, the two leaders agreed to double the EDCF loan ceiling compared to before to meet Uzbekistan’s public infrastructure development needs.
The two leaders emphasized the importance of cooperation in the health and medical fields amid the COVID-19 situation. President Moon congratulated the opening of the Uzbekistan National Children’s Hospital, supported by the Korean government, last year. Furthermore, both leaders recognized that the 180,000 ethnic Koreans residing in Uzbekistan are an important foundation for the development of bilateral relations.
The Blue House explained, "By holding the first summit in 2021 with Uzbekistan, a key partner in the New Northern Policy, our government opened the door to summit diplomacy for recovery and leap forward after COVID-19, while also providing an opportunity to review the achievements of the New Northern Policy."
Meanwhile, the two leaders evaluated that bilateral relations have developed since being elevated to a ‘Special Strategic Partnership’ following President Moon’s visit to Uzbekistan in April 2019.
President Moon expressed hope to closely cooperate with Uzbekistan for the joint prosperity of the Eurasian continent. President Mirziyoyev evaluated the New Northern Policy as a policy that promotes security enhancement and multifaceted exchange and cooperation across the Eurasian continent.
President Moon stated that efforts to achieve complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and establish lasting peace will continue. President Mirziyoyev expressed support for the Korean government’s efforts to establish peace on the Korean Peninsula.
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