Korea-Tajik Foreign Ministers' Meeting "Integrating New Northern Policy and Tajik Economic Development Plan"

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo In-ho] The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on the 30th that during the Korea-Tajikistan Foreign Ministers' meeting, they discussed mutually beneficial development plans by integrating Korea's New Northern Policy with Tajikistan's economic development plans.

Jeong Eui-yong, Minister of Foreign Affairs, who is on an official visit to Tajikistan, held talks with Tajikistan's Foreign Minister Sirojiddin Muhriddin on the 29th (local time). Since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries in 1992, this is the first official visit to Tajikistan by a Korean foreign minister.

During the meeting, both countries broadly discussed mutually beneficial development plans and agreed to expand and deepen practical cooperation through the continuous promotion of Korea's New Northern Policy.

They decided to promote development cooperation aimed at activating various economic cooperation channels, including communication between government officials and businesspeople, and strengthening Tajikistan's public and industrial capacities.

Korea selected Tajikistan as a priority partner country for Official Development Assistance (ODA) this year and plans to open a Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) office in the capital Dushanbe next year.

Tajikistan opened its embassy in Korea in 2015, and in March this year, Korea upgraded its Dushanbe branch office to a full embassy.

Additionally, both sides exchanged views on the situation in key regions such as the Korean Peninsula and Afghanistan. Minister Muhriddin reaffirmed his support for the Korean government's efforts to resume the peace process on the Korean Peninsula at an early date.

Immediately after the meeting, Minister Jeong signed the "Protocol to the Agreement on the Avoidance of Double Taxation and Prevention of Tax Evasion on Income" between the two countries together with Tajikistan's Minister of Finance.

On the same day, Minister Jeong also paid a courtesy call on Tajikistan President Emomali Rahmon. President Rahmon evaluated Korea as a reliable partner and expressed great interest in sharing Korea's development experience in various fields.

He also mentioned that Tajikistan has competitiveness in green energy sectors such as water resources and expressed hope to expand policy cooperation with Korea in the field of green growth.