Uzbek Leader Calls President Moon 'Brother'... "We Are Brother Nations" (Comprehensive)

President Moon holds video summit with Uzbekistan President... Declares start of trade agreement negotiations, first among New Northern countries

[Asia Economy Reporter Ryu Jeong-min] "Respected President Moon Jae-in, I am pleased to be able to meet you, my friend and elder brother." Shavkat Mirziyoyev, President of Uzbekistan, expressed his closeness by using the term 'elder brother' during a video summit with President Moon Jae-in on the afternoon of the 28th.

President Moon also responded, saying, "Our two countries have become brotherly nations," and "Our friendship has deepened during the COVID-19 situation." The summit was held via video conference due to COVID-19 issues. It attracted attention as it was President Moon's first bilateral summit of the year.

The Blue House stated, "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."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

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 target country of the New Northern Policy.

The New Northern Cooperation target countries include Russia, Moldova, Belarus, Ukraine, the three Caucasus countries (Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan), five Central Asian countries (Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan), Mongolia, and China (Northeast provinces).

President Moon said, "Uzbekistan is a grateful country that embraced 180,000 ethnic Koreans with the power of inclusion, having exchanged Eastern and Western civilizations at the center of the Silk Road," adding, "Today's summit will be a milestone for mutual cooperation and joint prosperity between the two countries in the post-COVID era."

President Mirziyoyev said, "It is no coincidence that my first bilateral summit this year is with President Moon," and "I am especially grateful for the support during the most difficult times Uzbekistan faced amid the pandemic."

Meanwhile, through this summit, the two countries also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on digital industrial cooperation to expand 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 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 promoted by Uzbekistan.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

As a result of this summit, the following agreements were signed: the 2021-2023 EDCF Basic Agreement between Korea and Uzbekistan, the Digital Industry Cooperation MOU to activate the 4th Industrial Revolution, key contract terms for the Mubarek power plant modernization project, a loan agreement for the construction of Tashkent General Hospital, and a loan agreement for the construction of a 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, the two leaders recognized that the 180,000 ethnic Korean compatriots residing in Uzbekistan are an important foundation for the development of bilateral relations.

The Blue House explained, "By holding the first summit of 2021 with Uzbekistan, a key partner country of 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 implementation achievements of the New Northern Policy."